Curbside GuideKnow before you throw.

← Thanksgiving trash guide

Thanksgiving trash & recycling in Washington, DC

Holiday pickup

When a holiday falls on a collection day, DPW trash and recycling collections "slide" to the next day for the rest of the week, through Saturday. With Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026, Thursday routes are collected Friday and Friday routes Saturday. In twice-weekly neighborhoods, both pickups that week slide a day. Check DPW's Slide Guide for your address.

Last verified:

Pickup changes
When a holiday falls on a collection day, DPW trash and recycling collections "slide" to the next day for the rest of the week, through Saturday. With Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026, Thursday routes are collected Friday and Friday routes Saturday. In twice-weekly neighborhoods, both pickups that week slide a day. Check DPW's Slide Guide for your address.
Turkey fryer oil & grease
Small amounts of cooking oil and grease are fine at DC's food waste drop-off sites, but large amounts aren't accepted there. Cooking oil is accepted at DPW's free Special Waste Collection Events for household hazardous waste: register in advance, bring proof of DC residency, and arrive before 2 p.m.
Extra trash
Put all trash in plastic bags inside your green DPW trash bin with the lid tightly closed. Report a missed collection through 311.
Boxes & wrapping
Empty and flatten cardboard boxes, and leave recyclables loose in the blue bin (paper bags are OK, but loose is preferred). Plastic bags, wraps and film are no longer accepted in recycling.
Tip
DPW Special Waste Collection Events also take household batteries; tape the terminals first.

Official sources (checked 2026-11-02): dpw.dc.gov · zerowaste.dc.gov · zerowaste.dc.gov · dpw.dc.gov · zerowaste.dc.gov

FAQ

Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in DC?

When a holiday falls on a collection day, DPW trash and recycling collections "slide" to the next day for the rest of the week, through Saturday. With Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026, Thursday routes are collected Friday and Friday routes Saturday. In twice-weekly neighborhoods, both pickups that week slide a day. Check DPW's Slide Guide for your address.

How do I get rid of turkey fryer oil in DC?

Small amounts of cooking oil and grease are fine at DC's food waste drop-off sites, but large amounts aren't accepted there. Cooking oil is accepted at DPW's free Special Waste Collection Events for household hazardous waste: register in advance, bring proof of DC residency, and arrive before 2 p.m.

What do I do with extra trash after Thanksgiving in DC?

Put all trash in plastic bags inside your green DPW trash bin with the lid tightly closed. Report a missed collection through 311.

Can I recycle boxes and wrapping paper in DC?

Empty and flatten cardboard boxes, and leave recyclables loose in the blue bin (paper bags are OK, but loose is preferred). Plastic bags, wraps and film are no longer accepted in recycling.

Other items in DC

Thanksgiving trash in other cities