DC expands access to smart-bin composting program as it targets one million pounds this year

Last week in Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Public Works used National Learn About Composting Day to highlight the city’s growing food-waste diversion efforts and announce the rollout of 20 additional public food-waste smart bins beginning this summer.

The announcement builds on real momentum. DC says it has collected more than 11 million pounds of food waste since 2017, and that its smart-bin network alone has collected more than 800,000 pounds since launching last year, with the city on track to reach 1 million pounds this year.

The District’s food-waste smart bins are available 24/7 and can be accessed by app or keypad, expanding access beyond staffed drop-off windows and placing organics infrastructure closer to where people live. It is a practical example of how enclosed, technology-enabled systems can improve convenience while reducing operational friction.

It also highlights a broader truth about organics collection in public environments: participation improves when systems are convenient, but long-term performance depends on infrastructure that helps manage contamination, pests, servicing, and user behavior. That is why the next phase of organics growth will be shaped not just by policy ambition, but by the quality of the drop-off and collection systems cities put in place.

The District’s continued investment is especially notable because it shows confidence in public-facing organics infrastructure as a practical part of city operations. According to DC, residents can already use more than 30 24-hour smart bins citywide alongside weekend drop-off options, and the new expansion will take that network further.

For local governments looking to divert food scraps, the lesson is straightforward: better waste-diversion outcomes are easier to achieve when infrastructure is designed for real-world use. Where curbside collection is not yet viable, accessible but controlled public deposit points can help close the gap between environmental goals and day-to-day operational reality.

Read the case study here.