Washington, DC

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser today joined residents to celebrate #EarthWeekDC at a #TrashFreeDC Citywide Cleanup event at Triangle Park in Ward 5. The Bowser Administration hosted cleanup events in all eight wards and provided bags to residents who organized their own neighborhood cleanups. At the cleanup, the Mayor announced that her Administration is making improvements to the District’s Adopt a Block program and launching three new initiatives geared towards keeping the District litter and waste free: Adopt Your City, Better Access to Supplies, and Pet Waste Outreach Campaign.

“By working together, we can make Washington, DC the healthiest, greenest, and most livable city in the nation,” said Mayor Bowser. “I know we have many residents who want to be part of the solution, and with these new and improved initiatives, we’re making it easier for Washingtonians to get involved and help keep our neighborhoods and waterways trash free.”

Adopt a Block

Through the Adopt a Block program, organizations, businesses, and individuals commit to cleaning up litter on designated blocks on a regular basis. Now, the Office of the Clean City is improving the program with new data collection tools and by increasing access to supplies and District services.

Adopt Your City

The new Adopt Your City program, a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Department of Energy and Environment, and the National Park Service, will help residents, businesses, and organizations navigate parcels of land in the District that are overseen by both local and federal agencies. A new online map will help neighbors identify blocks, parks, and streams available for adoption and connect them with the appropriate agency to support their efforts. Both District parks and certain National Park Service units are available for adoption.

Better Access to Supplies

To ensure District residents have access to the supplies they need to help keep neighborhoods clean, the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City and DPR are making cleanup bags available at all DPR recreation centers. Additionally, enhanced 311 service will make it easier for residents to request pickup of the bags. Throughout the year, the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City will expand the partnership to include additional supplies and tools.

Pet Waste Outreach Campaign

Through a partnership with the Humane Rescue Alliance and with the help of a grant from Mars Petcare, the District is launching a new pilot program aimed at decreasing pet waste on sidewalks, in tree boxes, and on green spaces. The initiative includes new advertising, direct outreach and training with dog owners and dog walkers, and new bag dispensers.

“Clean rivers start with clean neighborhoods,” said Director of the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City Julie Lawson. “You’ve heard the line: Celebrate Earth Day every day. To us, that means getting out and keeping our neighborhoods clean, safe and healthy, by picking up trash, not letting cans overflow, not littering, and recognizing that all of us are responsible for what makes DC such a great city.”

The Mayor’s Office of the Clean City coordinates the District’s litter prevention, helping residents, businesses, and government be their best at doing their part for a clean, safe, and healthy city. More information is available at the Office of the Clean City website cleancity.dc.gov.