November 2025
Photo Credit: Department of Small and Local Business Development
Businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the District understand the value of adopting sustainable practices, and there are a variety of District Government resources and programs to help them do so. Aligned with the action in the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan to “provide training and connect District businesses to financial resources to operate more sustainably,” below are some recent examples of how this happens:
Through these and other resources, business leaders can gain the benefits of adopting green practices, including reduced waste, improved indoor air quality, exposure to new potential customers, and more. Whether taking the initial step of evaluating where improvements can be made, or demonstrating innovative leadership, businesses at all stages in their sustainability journey deserve encouragement and recognition. One way to shine a spotlight on them is through the District Sustainability Awards. Stay tuned for more info on the 2026 awards soon!
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2025 District Sustainability Award Winners Spotlight
The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working toward a more sustainable DC. This year, six winners were announced at Destination DC’s Sustainability Summit. We will highlight one every month in the newsletter. This month, for our final feature, we are highlighting A-Peace LLC, the winner of the Clean Energy DC award:
A-Peace LLC is a DC-based property management and development company experienced in creating sustainable living experiences for residents in seemingly undervalued neighborhoods. A-Peace LLC has installed solar panels and electrified a significant portion of its multifamily portfolio. A-Peace LLC recently built a nine-unit affordable housing building featuring a rooftop solar system and energy efficient equipment, as well as a learning space to host educational events.
To learn more about A-Peace LLC and the other District Sustainability Award winners this year, read the case studies here.
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2025 Sustainable DC Dashboard Published
The latest Sustainable DC Progress Report is now available! It includes key achievements from last year that brought the District closer to meeting goals in the Sustainable DC, Clean Energy DC, and Climate Ready DC plans. Featured highlights include Stead Park Recreation Center as the first net-zero energy recreation center in the District, the installation of solar-powered electric bike chargers, and the launch of the first food waste smart bin in the city.
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DC’s Food Waste Collection Program is Expanding
In fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026), the Department of Public Works will be expanding the Food Waste Collection Program to serve 12,000 households. That's 3,000 more homes reducing food waste, mitigating rodent activity, creating compost, and helping the city meet our zero waste goals! To be eligible, you must:
- Live in Washington, DC
- Reside in a single-family home or apartment building with 3 units or less, and
- Receive trash and recycling service from DC Department of Public Works
To be added to the waitlist to be considered for the expansion, please complete the form at https://forms.office.com/g/cY1xpJLT5q.
If you are already in the program, you do not need to get on the waitlist. If your friends, family, or neighbors filled out the waitlist form between March 2024 and now, they do not need to fill it out again. Questions about the program and the waitlist can be directed to compostdc@dc.gov.
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Reuse DC Directory Now Includes Non-Perishable Food Category
DC’s Reuse Directory now includes locations for donating and picking up non-perishable food items! Simply go to https://reuse.dc.gov/page/reuse-directory, enter your address in the first dropdown (optional), select “donate” or “shop” in the second, and select “Non-perishable food” as the category in the third dropdown. The results when selecting “donate” are locations where you can drop off food items and those when selecting “shop” are where you can pick up for free. If you see a location that’s missing, complete this form to suggest it be included in the directory.
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Congress Heights Sustainability Walking Tour Video Released
You can now see the real-world projects that contribute to meeting the goals in Sustainable DC from the comfort of your couch! Check out the Congress Heights Sustainability Walking Tour video for a virtual tour of some of the features contributing to a greener DC all in one neighborhood. And if you feel so inspired, head out and see the projects in Congress Heights for yourself! Use the Sustainability Points of Interest Map to see what other features you can find in the neighborhood, and the whole city.
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Applications for District Sustainability Awards Open Soon
Get ready for your time in the spotlight! The application period for the 2026 District Sustainability Awards will open on December 1. The awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working toward a more sustainable DC, with a special category for clean energy projects. These are the leaders who make the District healthier, greener, and a more enjoyable place to live for all. Learn more about the awards and read case studies of past winners at https://doee.dc.gov/service/sustainabilityawards.
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Join the Watershed Partners Email List
Would you like to stay updated on all things relating to the Anacostia River watershed? The Department of Energy and Environment’s Watershed Protection Division has a monthly newsletter for watershed partners, with information about funding opportunities, public events, job openings, volunteer opportunities, project updates, and more. It is a great way to stay informed, updated, and connected to the broader watershed stakeholder community. To receive the newsletter, visit the Watershed Protection Division homepage and scroll down to the email list signup.
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Request for Applications - Sustainability Subgrants
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the Department of Energy and Environment have partnered to launch the Small & Accessible Sustainability Subgrants program. This innovative initiative is designed to advance the District’s sustainability, zero waste, donation and reuse, and urban agriculture goals while directly supporting small, new, and historically-excluded organizations. To learn more about this opportunity, visit the subgrant webpage. Applications are due November 15.
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Share Input on Next Phase of DC 2050 Development
The DC Office of Planning (OP) is working alongside DC residents, community-based organizations, businesses, and elected officials to develop DC 2050, the District's next Comprehensive Plan. OP is hosting workshops this fall for all residents and stakeholders to launch Phase 2: Explore Possible Futures. Come out to learn about new concepts and share your thoughts on the different approaches for how OP should plan for future growth in the District. The next workshop is on Saturday, November 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 899 North Capitol Street NE. To learn more about this and other ways to provide input to DC 2050, check out the plan’s website.
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Department of Energy and Environment – Green Fellows
The Green Fellows Leadership and Development Program is a competitive paid opportunity designed for graduate-level students who are currently enrolled in a Master's degree study program. The program is both a career exploration and pipeline program for students interested in job placement at the Department of Energy and Environment; however, placement opportunities are not guaranteed. Fellowship positions are open in the following areas:
- Urban Sustainability Administration
- Toxic Substances Division
- Policy and Compliance
- Building Performance and Enforcement Branch
For additional information and to apply, please visit the Green Fellows page. Applications close November 30.
Love & Carrots – Installation Crew Member
Love & Carrots works to proliferate vegetable gardening knowledge with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations. Their installation crew is a skilled team that crafts their many diverse foodscapes. Working for Love & Carrots is a great opportunity to learn how to build gardens and urban farms and break into the urban gardening industry. They’re ideally looking to hire for this role in January 2026, but this timeline is flexible for the right candidate. For more information and to apply, view the job posting on the Love & Carrots website.
Howard University Halo Garden and Common Good City Farm Join Forces to Fight Food Insecurity: The Washington Informer shines a spotlight on a new partnership to bolster Howard’s student-run garden and build skills and capacity.
Fashioning Environmental Justice with Zsameria Rayford: SWAP DC founder Zsameria Rayford is the featured guest on this episode of the Edible Activist podcast, to discuss the connections between exchanging clothing and other materials, and environmental justice.
Fix-It DC
Fix-It DC events are community repair events dedicated to changing the “throw-it-away” mentality. Visitors bring their broken items to the Fix-It DC event where volunteer Fix-It coaches provide guidance in troubleshooting how to repair each item. The next event is Wednesday, November 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at MLK Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW). Visit the Fix-It DC page for more information and to register.
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District Bike Summit 2025
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association’s first District Bike Summit takes place Sunday, December 7, 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Festival Center in Adams Morgan. The summit is focused on advancing DC bicycling and safe streets. Visit the event page for more information and to register.
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MLK Library Clothing Swap
Head to MLK Jr. Memorial Library on Sunday, December 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m. for a transformative clothing swap, where you can breathe new life into pre-loved pieces and discover unique treasures. Whether you're decluttering or seeking one-of-a-kind finds, this event empowers fashion enthusiasts to refresh their style while promoting sustainability. Visit the event page for more information and to register.
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