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Bill

B 26-0687

School Food Waste Reduction and Composting Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Janeese Lewis George

DCPS and public charter schools must separate food waste for organics collection starting Jan 1, 2027, with DPW enforcement and DGS infrastructure support.

Referred to Committee on Public Works and Operations, Committee on Facilities, and Committee of the Whole
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Bill Summary · B 26-0687

Overview

Bill B26-0687, the School Food Waste Reduction and Composting Act of 2026, seeks to reduce food waste in District of Columbia public schools by mandating separation of food waste for organics collection, expanding organics infrastructure, and strengthening food donation practices within public school meal programs. The act would align school waste practices with the District’s zero-waste goals and integrate school-level donation reporting into existing wellness reporting systems.

Main purpose and intent

  • Reduce waste generated by DCPS and public charter school meal programs.
  • Expand organics collection and composting opportunities.
  • Improve food donation practices for excess edible food from schools.
  • Clarify agency responsibilities and provide a structured implementation framework, including enforcement and reporting.

Key provisions and changes

  • Mandate for organics separation:
    • Beginning January 1, 2027, DCPS and public charter schools (including any food service programs or vendors) must separate food waste for organics collection.
  • Responsibility and enforcement framework:
    • Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for compliance guidance, technical assistance, and enforcement of the organics separation requirements.
    • Department of General Services (DGS) must ensure the provision, installation, and maintenance of containers, signage, and collection infrastructure at district-owned or district-leased school facilities; must coordinate with charter school operators or designees for infrastructure at charter facilities.
    • Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to coordinate with DPW, DGS, and food service providers to support implementation and data reporting.
  • Regulatory and implementation timeline:
    • Mayor must issue implementing rules within 180 days of the effective date, including a corrective action process for noncompliance with remediation timelines and technical assistance.
    • DPW to begin annual reporting to the Council starting the first full fiscal year after the effective date, including:
    • Compliance and contamination trends
    • Technical assistance and corrective actions
    • Recurring barriers (equipment, staffing, contracts, logistics)
    • School food donation activity and barriers
  • Healthy Schools Act of 2010 amendments:
    • Encourages schools to establish share tables and donate excess edible food where practicable.
    • Requires school-level donation reporting to be incorporated into existing wellness reporting systems, with data transmitted to DPW for inclusion in the waste management reports.

Who is affected

  • DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools operating meal programs, including their food service vendors.
  • District facilities management (through DGS for infrastructure needs) and DPW for compliance and enforcement.
  • OSSE as a coordinating partner for implementation and data reporting.
  • Schools’ wellness reporting systems, which will incorporate donation-related data.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • January 1, 2027: Start of mandatory organics separation for affected schools.
  • 180 days after enactment: Mayor to issue implementing rules.
  • Annual reporting: DPW to begin in the first full fiscal year post-enactment and continue annually.
  • Effective date: Following mayoral approval and a 30-day congressional review period.

Impact considerations

  • Potential cost implications for containers, signage, and collection infrastructure at school facilities.
  • Administrative workload increases for DPW, DGS, OSSE, and schools for compliance, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Expected improvement in waste diversion from landfills and increased opportunities for edible food donation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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