Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act of 2026

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Statement of Introduction
Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act of 2026
March 16, 2026
Today, I am introducing the Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act of 2026, along
with Councilmembers Matthew Frumin, Zachary Parker, Janeese Lewis George, Charles Allen,
and Robert C. White, Jr.
Trash and recycling cans with open lids are the default design for public waste containers in the
District. Their design allows people to easily toss trash or recycling into containers, but this
design feature also presents several shortcomings. Rodents, birds, and other animals can easily
climb into an open-lid trash can to feast on an all-you-can-eat buffet. Some people treat the open
design as an invitation to illegally dump their household trash. Infrequent maintenance causes the
cans to overflow. Wrappers, bottles, and doggy waste bags get caught in between the can liner
and the exterior metal strips of the container structure. Even when properly discarded, litter in
open-lid containers can easily be scattered by animals, people, and the wind. Loose trash then
enters sewers and the District’s waterways, causing aesthetic and environmental pollution
throughout our neighborhoods. Odors that would be controlled by secure public trash containers
waft out of open-lid cans, especially in the summer. This does not have to be our status quo.
A multi-pronged approach will solve these problems. The District must provide residents and
visitors with effective trash and recycling education. Residents must properly dispose of their
trash. Expanded composting programming will better control the rodent population. And,
importantly, the District must provide better public trash and recycling options.
This bill would require the Mayor to include the cost of publicly accessible, front-loading,
secure, rodent-resistant trash and recycling containers in the capital improvements plan budget
for any public school renovation or modernization, park renovation or modernization, recreation
center renovation or modernization, sidewalk replacement project, or curb extension
project. Secure, rodent-proof trash and recycling containers are more costly than open-lid
containers, but building the cost of these cans into the overall price of capital projects would
recognize that trash and recycling receptacles are an essential part of public infrastructure
improvements and realize cost savings down the road in the District’s operations budget. While
modernizing our trash cans won’t put a lid on all our litter, illegal dumping, and pest problems, it
would take a bite out of them, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this
common-sense measure.
Christina Henderson Committee Member
Councilmember, At-Large Human Services
Chairperson, Committee on Health Facilities
Transportation and the Environment
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Councilmember Matthew Frumin Councilmember Christina Henderson 2
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Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 6
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Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 10
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A BILL 16
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 21
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To require the Mayor to include the cost of publicly accessible, front loading, secure, rodent-25
resistant trash and recycling containers in the capital improvements plan budget for 26
certain capital projects. 27
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 29
act may be cited as the “Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act of 2026”. 30
Sec. 2. Capital budget calculations to include the cost of secure trash and recycling 31
containers. 32
(a) Beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, when formulating a capital improvements plan budget 33
for a public school renovation or modernization, park renovation or modernization, recreation 34
center renovation or modernization, sidewalk replacement project, or curb extension project, the 35
Mayor shall include the cost of replacing existing public trash and recycling containers at or 36

immediately surrounding the project site with publicly accessible, front loading, secure, rodent-37 resistant trash and recycling containers. 38 Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 39 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 40 impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 41 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 42 Sec. 4. Effective date. 43 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 44 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review 45 as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 46 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 47