For Immediate Release
March 17, 2026
Sierra Wallace, Communications Director
(202) 355-8431
swallace@dccouncil.gov

Councilmember Christina Henderson Introduces Legislation to Install Rodent-Resistant Trash Containers Through Capital Projects

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Councilmember Christina Henderson introduced the Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act of 2026. This bill would require proactive budgeting for replacing public trash and recycling containers around the District by including the cost of modernizing trash containers in future capital projects.  

“We need a different strategy when it comes to waste collection in our public spaces. Between overflowing containers due to infrequent collection and the current design of our containers – which does nothing to deter rodents or illegal dumping – our public waste problem is quickly becoming a public health problem,” stated Councilmember Henderson.  

Currently, the District’s standard container is called a Victor Stanley SD 42 which does not have a lid or rodent resistant liner. The Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act would modernize our public infrastructure by requiring the Mayor to include the cost of publicly accessible, front-loading, secure, rodent-resistant trash and recycling containers in the capital improvements plan budget for any public school renovation or modernization, park renovation or modernization, recreation center renovation or modernization, sidewalk replacement project, or curb extension project.

“It would be expensive and impractical for us to change every single container overnight. But rather than continuing to purchase inadequate public trash and recycling cans, the District could systematically make the transition over time by including the costs of front-loading, secure, rodent-resistant trash and recycling containers in capital budgets for public projects like recreation center modernizations or sidewalk replacements. This bill delivers common sense solutions while attacking a core aspect of the overall problem,” Councilmember Henderson continued.

Modernizing our public trash and recycling containers will only solve part of our problem. While the current Victor Stanley containers are generally serviced 3-4 times per day in commercial corridors that are in a Business Improvement District (BID), other containers particularly in residential areas may only be serviced by the Department of Public Works or the Department of General Services once a week. Through persistent oversight, Councilmember Henderson and her colleagues are also trying to address that problem.  

The Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act was co-introduced by Councilmembers Matthew Frumin, Zachary Parker, Janeese Lewis George, Charles Allen, and Robert C. White, Jr.

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