{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-1031.03a","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 8-1031.03a","heading":"Requirements for commercial food waste.","body":"(a)\nAll entities identified in subsection (b) of this section shall:\n(1)\nDonate excess edible food to the extent practicable consistent with Chapter 3 of Title 48;\n(2)\nSource-separate all back-of-house commercial food waste generated at its premises and:\n(A)\nArrange for the separate collection and transport of the back-of-house commercial food waste to an organic waste processing facility or to processors for use as animal feed; provided, that such collection, transport, and disposal follow all applicable Federal, state, and local laws; or\n(B)\nProcess back-of-house commercial food waste using an on-site organic waste processing system; provided, that:\n(i)\nAny on-site composting shall be in-vessel composting or a processing system approved by DPW;\n(ii)\nAll equipment shall be properly sized to handle and process back-of-house commercial food waste generated at the premises in a safe and sanitary manner; and\n(iii)\nAll equipment shall be installed in accordance with the applicable plumbing code and wastewater discharge regulations;\n(3)\nProvide waste containers consistent with the requirements for waste collection under § 8-1031.04(a)(1) for the disposal of food waste in any work area where employees are handling back-of-house commercial food waste;\n(4)\nEnsure proper storage for food waste on site, including a container with a secure lid, that will ensure that it is maintained separately from all other materials generated at the premises, is not commingled with recyclable material or trash, and does not create a public nuisance;\n(5)\nEnsure employees are informed about the requirements for food waste by:\n(i)\nProviding regular training to employees concerning the proper methods to separate and store food waste, including separating and storing food to be donated, if applicable; and\n(ii)\nPosting instructions on the proper separation of food waste in a manner and location in which the instructions will be comprehensible and visible to employees who are disposing of food waste, including signage in multiple languages as appropriate; and\n(6)\nPost a sign that states clearly and legibly:\n(A)\nThe trade or business name, address, and telephone number of, and the day and time of pickup by, the private collector that collects the food waste;\n(B)\nThat the entity transports its own food waste; or\n(C)\nThat the entity provides for on-site processing for food waste it generates on its premises.\n\n(b)\nThe requirements in subsection (a) of this section shall apply as follows:\n(1)\nBeginning January 1, 2023, to:\n(A)\nA retail food store with a floor area of at least 10,000 square feet; and\n(B)\nColleges and universities with at least 2,000 residential students;\n(2)\nBeginning January 1, 2024, to:\n(A)\nA retail food store not covered by paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, that is part of a chain of retail food stores, for which the chain;\n(i)\nOperates the retail food stores under common ownership or control and receives waste collection from the same private collector;\n(ii)\nConsists of 3 or more retail food stores; and\n(iii)\nHas a combined floor area of at least 10,000 square feet;\n(B)\nArenas or stadiums with seating capacity of at least 15,000 persons;\n(C)\nHospitals and nursing homes, as those terms are defined in § 44-501(a)(9) and (11), with at least 300 beds; and\n(D)\nColleges and universities not covered by paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection with at least 500 residential students; and\n(3)\nTo any other entities added by the Mayor under subsection (c) of this section.\n\n(c)\nBeginning January 1, 2024, the Mayor may, by rule, apply the requirements in subsection (a) of this section to other entities, based on an evaluation of the available processing capacity of all organic waste processing facilities and systems within 35 miles of the Capitol dome.\n\n(d)\nCollectors of source-separated food waste shall:\n(1)\nProvide training to businesses on how to properly source-separate food waste; and\n(2)\nNotify customers when they see contamination.\n\n(e)\n(1)\nRepealed.\n(2)\nThe Mayor shall conduct regular public education and outreach on the benefits of donating excess edible food and source separating compostable materials.\n(3)\nThe Mayor shall not prohibit food service entities from composting or source separating compostable materials, including food waste that is not back-of-house commercial food waste, as long as they provide adequate consumer-facing waste collection service for compostable materials consistent with § 8-1031.04.","path":["Title 8. Environmental and Animal Control and Protection.","Chapter 10A. Solid Waste Reduction and Recovery."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/8-1031.03a","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"8622adea19eb422df5740c3d989163049921c5d1a16358e48dc2fa573ec87aa0","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-1031.03","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-8-1031.03b"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}