May 2026
Image Credit: Zero Waste DC
The Zero Waste DC plan set a goal of 80% waste diversion from landfills by 2040. The District has been making composting more accessible as a part of reaching this goal. When food waste goes to the landfill, it releases methane as it breaks down, which is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. By composting food waste, we create a nutrient-rich product that can be added to soil and help grow food.
District residents now have several convenient options for dropping off food waste, including curbside collection, 30+ smart compost bins across the city, or year-round weekend drop-off events. Curbside collection is currently operating with a waitlist that residents can join here. The smart compost bins alone collect an average of 59,000 pounds of food waste each month, and additional ADA-accessible bins are coming to the District this year. To find the closest food waste drop-off site to you, explore the map here. Once you start composting, you won’t ever want to go back!
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2026 District Sustainability Award Winners Spotlight
The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working toward a more sustainable DC. This year, seven winners were announced at Destination DC’s Sustainability Summit. We will highlight one every month in the newsletter. This month we are featuring the Clean Energy DC awardee, American University.
American University’s Meltzer Center is a fully electrified, net-zero energy athletic facility powered by geothermal and solar energy. Designed for LEED Platinum and International Living Future Institute Zero Energy, its high-performance systems, inclusive design, and community access advance the District’s sustainability and equity goals.
Check out the award winner case studies to learn more!
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Data Dashboard and Sustainability Points of Interest in the District Map Updated
We have updated resources on our website! The Sustainable DC Data Dashboard, which shows our progress on several sustainability-related data points, now includes electric vehicle market share data, updated greenhouse gas emissions data, and updated resident commute mode data.
Additionally, the Sustainability Points of Interest in the District Map now reflects RiverSmart schools, 2025-26 school gardens, and the Better Bus Network changes from last summer. View the dashboard here and the map here!
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Casey Trees Released Their 2025 Tree Report Card
Casey Trees released their state of DC’s trees report that measures progress toward achieving the District’s 40% tree canopy goal, and the extent and condition of the region’s trees. View the report here: https://caseytrees.org/treereportcard2025/.
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Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Nominations Now Open
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Climate and Energy Leadership Awards recognize organizations that develop climate stewardship projects and programs that engage and serve the region’s underserved communities. The awards program highlights a broad range of climate solutions for their unique engagement practices as well as their results, creativity, and replicability. The 2026 Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Program application submission process is now open for applications from April 22 to June 30. To learn more and submit a nomination, see https://www.mwcog.org/environment/planning-areas/climate-and-energy/climate-awards/.
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District Department of Transportation Opens Requests for Applications for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program
The District Department of Transportation is soliciting applications from organizations, businesses, or property owners to design, build, operate and maintain federally compliant fast charging stations for electric vehicles. Applications are due by May 26 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, see the announcement here.
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Notice for Request for Information Oxon Run Community Solar Facility: Solar Revolving Loan Fund and Site Operations and Maintenance
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is requesting input from interested parties in the District on what DOEE should consider regarding seeding, structuring, and operating a revolving loan fund to deploy capital for solar projects; and operating, maintaining, and optimizing solar assets of a community renewable energy facility in the District. Applications are due June 1. For more information, see the announcement here.
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Request for Applications – Efficient Affordable Resilient Neighborhoods Initiative
The Department of Energy and Environment is soliciting applications for its Efficient Affordable Resilient Neighborhoods Initiative. The selected grantee will develop a plan for neighborhood-scale electrification and clean energy implementation in a District neighborhood. Applicants will be scored based on their understanding of the community and neighborhood(s) they are proposing to work in as well as their technical expertise across electrification, distributed energy resources, grid-optimizing technologies, and other energy topics. Applications are due June 5. For more information, see the announcement here.
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Compost Cab – General Manager
Compost Cab is seeking a dynamic, experienced, mission-oriented general manager to lead their next phase of rapid growth. You’ll play a pivotal role in making sustainability happen in and around the nation’s capital, provide strategic leadership, and build and manage a high-performing team. For more information and to apply, visit https://compostcab.com/joinourteam.
Department of Energy and Environment – Office of Urban Agriculture Administrator
The Department of Energy and Environment is seeking an Office of Urban Agriculture Administrator to join our team. This position will manage any policy discussions and programs to improve the Office of Urban Agriculture’s role in promoting urban agriculture in DC. Their responsibilities will include fulfilling all of the obligations of the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for the District of Columbia; organizing Rooting DC, a free annual urban growers event for DC residents; managing the work plans and budget for the District’s statutory programs with the other team member; and represent the Office of Urban Agriculture across District and regional entities and the general public. As a member of the Urban Sustainability Administration, this individual will also support the broader work of the Administration to advance and institutionalize sustainability.
The job announcement is now posted on careers.dc.gov under Job ID 32447 and accepting applications through May 24.
Dreaming Out Loud – Farm Assistant
Dreaming Out Loud is a nonprofit working across Wards 7 and 8 focused on food access, urban agriculture, and supporting local food businesses. They are currently hiring a Farm Assistant who will support day-to-day work on the farm, help with food hub operations, and be part of the work to get fresh, locally grown food into communities across DC. Apply for the position here.
DC Explained: How to Donate, Recycle, Sell, and Toss Your Unwanted Stuff: This article from The 51st highlights resources you can use if you’re spring cleaning or looking to get rid of something specific.
District Sustainability Award Winners Encourage Extensive Environmental Action: “Our Power Our Planet,” The Washington Informer’s 2026 Sustainability Supplement, featured the District Sustainability Award winners, and interviewed a few of the winners: DC Greens, American University, and To Go Green.
What We Measured and How in our Indicators Map: Greater Greater Washington released a map where users can compare 23 different indicators like demographics, housing production, traffic safety, and air quality across different District geographies like wards or planning areas.
DC Public Library Swaps
The DC Public Library is hosting multiple swap events this spring:
- Accessory Swap at The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. More information available here.
- Puzzle Swap at Takoma Park Neighborhood Library all day on Tuesday, June 2. More information available here.
- Puzzle Swap at the Northeast Neighborhood Library on Sunday, June 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. More information available here.
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ReThread DC Mending Workshop
ReThread DC, the District’s textile reuse and recovery initiative, is hosting several workshops with the Southwest Neighborhood Library, located at 900 Wesley Place SW. This month, ReThread DC is hosting a Mending Workshop on Sunday, May 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Attendees will learn new skills to breathe new life into tired items from their closets. Registration will be available here.
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Reel Invasion – Anacostia River
Anacostia River’s Reel Invasion is a free-to-enter fishing derby event to educate and encourage harvest of invasive fish species introduced into Maryland and D.C. waters that cause ecological harm. The event will take place at Anacostia Park on Sunday, June 7. For more information and to register, visit this website.
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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, June 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Library (3160 16th Street NW). Visit https://doee.dc.gov/service/fix-it for more information and to register.
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Nature Forward Flood Education Workshops
Join Nature Forward and their partners for their flood education workshops in Wards 5 and 6 this summer. These three-part workshops will be tailored to each ward focused on Flooding 101, Preparedness for Every Emergency, and Community Resilience in Practice. All District residents who attend receive a stipend for food, childcare and/or other needs while learning about flooding, emergency preparedness and community resilience.
- Ward 5 register here.
- Ward 6 register here.
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