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<[link removed]>Dear Friend,

<[link removed]>I'm reaching out with an update on trash and recycling collection. And I want to be very clear up front: the city said service would be back on schedule this week, and it's simply not for a lot of people. Patience has run out, and frustration, mine included, has set in.

We're seeing continued breakdowns in collection Ward-wide, and especially in Capitol Hill. Many, many neighbors have been in touch with my office over the last two weeks, and we're still not seeing the resolution and quality assurance we should all expect and receive from DPW.

In the past 48 hours, I've been in direct contact with the Mayor, the City Administrator, and DPW leadership to underscore how unacceptable this situation is and how long it's persisted. I spoke with the City Administrator this morning to make this clear. Despite my office sending the Executive daily priority lists of the missed collections reported to my office, resolution has been spotty, and communication back to our team has been inconsistent.

As I shared in a video today <[link removed]>, here’s what the City Administrator told me would be their next steps:

- There are a handful of missed trash and recycling collection hotspots citywide, and Capitol Hill is one of them. They are aware of the scope of the problem now.


- To increase DPW's capacity, approximately 80 seasonal leaf-collection workers are being reassigned to trash and recycling collection. Because of this, residents may see DPW workers in non-dump trucks servicing trash and recycling in the coming days to make a dent in the number of outstanding pickups.


- The city is also looking at bringing in private haulers to help clear the backlog and stabilize service. 

DPW is also experiencing a serious staffing challenge - even more severe than during the Ward's recent trash pickup disruptions this past fall. While we acknowledge those challenges and are grateful for the many workers on our streets around the clock, trash still needs to be picked up. Many residents have now gone weeks without any or consistent collection, and that is simply not okay. This has become the top issue my office is hearing about day after day, and my team and I are continuing to push daily for speedy resolutions.

I know trust is shaken when timelines are missed and the government doesn't deliver on core services. I’ll keep pressing for action and sharing updates as we get them. Please continue to reach out to 311 and my office: your calls, emails, and messages matter, and they're being heard. Below, you can find direct contact information for my team (shout-out to my very hardworking constituent services staff!):

- Northeast Ward 6 residents: Email Jen DeMayo <mailto:[email protected]>
- Southeast Ward 6 residents: Email Kimberly Kennedy <mailto:[email protected]>
- Southwest & Northwest Ward 6 residents: Email Jeanne Mattison <mailto:[email protected]>

It's beyond time we get this back on track.

Charles Allen

<[link removed]>Councilmember Charles Allen · 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20004, United States
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