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Washington, DC Expands Food Waste Diversion with Smart, Rodent-Resistant Drop-Off Infrastructure

June 27, 2025

Project Snapshot:

Client:  District of Columbia Department of Public Works (DPW)
Location:  Washington, DC
Application:  Public food waste drop-off infrastructure

Impact

The Challenge

Washington, DC has set ambitious Zero Waste and climate goals, with food waste identified as a major part of the District’s waste stream. The city had already expanded composting through curbside collection and farmers’ market drop-off programs, but many residents – particularly those living in multifamily housing – still lacked convenient access to food waste recycling.

The District needed infrastructure that could:

Organics cart enclosure

The Solution

Washington, DC has set ambitious Zero Waste and climate goals, with food waste identified aTo expand access, the District of Columbia Department of Public Works launched a network of smart food waste drop-off bins across the city.

The program deployed metroSTOR smart organics enclosures designed for public food waste drop-off in urban environments. Installed across all eight wards, the units provide secure, 24-hour access, allowing residents to drop off food scraps at any time.

Each installation uses metroSTOR F-Series organics enclosures to house standard collection carts inside a fully enclosed steel structure, helping keep pests out and protect the waste stream. Access is managed through the metroKEY smartphone app or keypad entry, helping the city manage participation and reduce contamination.

The smart bins complement DC’s existing Compost DC curbside program and farmers’ market drop-off network, significantly expanding the District’s organics diversion infrastructure.

The Results

The smart bin rollout has significantly expanded compost access across Washington, DC.

Residents now have a broader network of food waste drop-off options citywide, including smart bins, staffed drop-off events, and other existing programs. The District’s smart bin network is now averaging about 30.6 tons of food waste per month since June 2025, based on program totals, which equates to about 1 ton per enclosure per month.

That performance represents a substantial and reliable stream of organics being captured for composting in public spaces, while keeping material secure and contained.

The bins are serviced at least twice per week, with monitoring tools helping optimize servicing and maintain consistent operation. This gives the city a practical way to expand food waste diversion without waiting for universal curbside rollout, while also addressing operational concerns around contamination, misuse, and pest pressure.

From the District

Client Feedback

“The smart bins have been a game-changer for DC. Residents have really embraced them, and it’s been amazing to see the positive response.” “Convenience is absolutely key. If access to composting isn’t easy, people won’t do it. The smart bins give residents 24-hour access, which opens composting up to thousands of people.”
Ashlea Smith-Sabeti
District of Columbia Department of Public Works

Why Cities Are Deploying Smart Organics Drop-Off

Cities across North America are expanding food waste diversion programs but face common challenges in dense urban environments, including contamination, rodents, and limited curbside coverage.

Smart drop-off infrastructure can help cities:

Washington, DC’s program shows how cities can combine secure infrastructure, behavior-focused design, and smart monitoring to scale food waste diversion in a practical, resident-friendly way.

Food waste & organics smart bins

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