150,000 lbs of food scraps diverted via DC’s smart bin pilot

Washington, DC’s smart bin program for organics and food scraps is proving that smart infrastructure can drive real impact. Since launching in February 2025 with metroSTOR F-Series enclosures, the city has diverted over 150,000 pounds of food scraps and food-soiled paper from landfill and incineration, including nearly 50,000 pounds in the month of May alone.

The pilot, delivered in partnership with the District Department of Public Works (DPW), has quadrupled public access to composting, growing from 12 drop-off points to 43 locations citywide. With 31 smart bins open 24/7, residents now have convenient, secure and hygienic access to composting infrastructure across the District.

“This major sustainability milestone not only shows how far we’ve come, but also how much more we can achieve,” said Interim DPW Director Anthony Crispino. “The demand for convenient food waste drop-off options has been amazing.”

metroSTOR F-Series in Action

Each smart bin features a rat-resistant enclosure, foot pedal lid and controlled access via smartphone app or keypad, helping to minimize contamination and keep public spaces clean. The system supports fill-level sensors for efficient collection and is designed to meet the needs of dense urban environments.

Described by Crispino as “our way of getting rid of the rats in DC,” the enclosures combine robust engineering with digital access technology to support both operational performance and user experience.

The second-largest food-waste smart bin initiative in the United States: Smart, Scalable, Sustainable

With the programme already ranking as the second-largest food-waste smart bin initiative in the United States, Washington’s success offers a clear model for other cities aiming to scale up food waste diversion. DC’s experience shows that residents are ready to engage, they just need the right infrastructure.

The impact has not gone unnoticed:

• The pilot was recently featured on NBC Washington News, highlighting strong public uptake and the bins’ role in reducing vermin, thanks to their secure, smart-access design.
• Coverage in Waste Advantage Magazine reported that the smart bins “collected 50,000 pounds in May” and nearly 120,000 lbs since installation.

Stats Chat

Since the February launch, the DC Smart Bin pilot has:

• Diverted over 150,000 lbs of food waste and food-soiled paper
• Collected nearly 50,000 lbs in May alone, a record monthly total!
• Expanded from 12 to 43 public drop-off sites, including 31 bins open 24/7
• Gained further support through the Mayor’s FY26 Grow DC Budget, with $2.3 million allocated to expand weekly residential food waste collection from 9,000 to 12,000 households

By combining robust design, data-driven intelligence and community engagement, the metroSTOR F-Series bins are helping shape a more sustainable future — in DC and beyond.