Mayor Muriel Bowser and District agencies have announced a series of spring cleaning and infrastructure projects as Earth Month begins. These efforts aim to enhance the city’s aesthetics and promote sustainability.

Annual Spring Cleanup & Community Involvement

The 10th Annual Spring Cleanup is scheduled for April 25th, encouraging residents to participate in neighborhood beautification. Mayor Bowser emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, acknowledging the contributions of both public servants and community members.

Residents can also utilize the Helping Hand program, which offers tool loans for neighborhood cleanup projects. Mayor Bowser invited all residents to participate on April 25th or leverage the Helping Hand program to organize their own cleanups.

Department of Public Works Initiatives

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is reactivating seasonal services, including street and alley cleaning, graffiti removal, and grass cutting. These initiatives are part of the District’s ongoing commitment to clean neighborhoods and sustainability.

DPW is also expanding food waste collection options and establishing a new recycling partnership with the DC Housing Authority, providing recycling services to residents for the first time. The MOCC and Adopt a Block programs are being integrated into the Office of Waste Diversion to streamline services.

Interim DPW Director Anthony Crispino highlighted the collaborative efforts of employees and residents, stating that increasing waste diversion options and supporting community cleanups will help DC become a national leader in environmental services.

Infrastructure Improvements with PaveDC & Smooth Streets

The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) unveiled its 2026 Paving Plan and provided updates on the Smooth Streets Initiative. The PaveDC Campaign, now in its seventh year, plans to resurface 81 miles of road and restore 40 miles of sidewalk.

The Smooth Streets Initiative coordinates with nine utility and construction partners – including Washington Gas, DC Water, and Pepco – to minimize disruptions and ensure proper restoration of public spaces. These partners will finance restorations, with DDOT conducting inspections to ensure quality and safety.

DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum expressed pride in launching the 2026 PaveDC season, emphasizing strategic investments in roads and sidewalks. Over the past seven years, DDOT has restored over 823 miles of streets.

Facility & Space Preparation

The Department of General Services (DGS) is preparing District facilities and public spaces for warmer weather. This includes maintenance of 55 parks, 39 community gardens, 14 indoor pools, 22 outdoor pools, 35 spray parks, 13 dog parks, and over 130 fields and playgrounds across all eight wards.

Residents seeking more information can visit dpw.dc.gov or zerowaste.dc.gov. Updates on the PaveDC campaign are available at pavedc.ddot.dc.gov.