The Fort Totten Transfer Station at 4900 John McCormack Rd NE is where Washington, DC residents can drop off bulky items, yard waste and recycling without waiting for a curbside appointment. It's run by the DC Department of Public Works (DPW), and right now it carries extra weight: DPW's other transfer station, Benning Road, is closed until further notice, so Fort Totten is the District's resident drop-off site. The rules are strict about who, what and which vehicles, so read this before you load up.
Last checked 2026-09-25 against DC Department of Public Works pages. Hours and rules change, so confirm before you go.
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Fort Totten Transfer Station at a glance
| Operator and owner | DC Department of Public Works (District-owned) |
| Address | 4900 John McCormack Rd NE, Washington, DC 20011 |
| Resident drop-off hours | Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.–2 p.m. |
| Closed to residents | Monday (no Sunday resident hours are listed) |
| Who can use it | District residents with proof of residency; businesses must hire a commercial hauler |
| Questions | Call 311, or DPW at (202) 673-6833 / dpw@dc.gov |
Fort Totten Transfer Station hours
Resident hours are short, so timing matters. On weekdays the window is only four hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Saturday gives you more room, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. DPW lists Monday as closed and doesn't list any Sunday hours for residents.
Tires have their own, narrower window: DPW accepts up to four tires on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. only.
Proving you're a District resident
DPW checks ID at the gate. Bring one of these:
- A DC driver's license, or
- A photo ID from another state plus either a utility bill dated within the last 30 days or a copy of your lease or deed
The name on the photo ID has to match the name on the bill, lease or deed. DPW also says all waste must come from inside the District, and staff can ask where a load came from.
Which vehicles are allowed
This is where many first-timers get turned around. DPW allows:
- Passenger cars and SUVs
- Pickup trucks
- Passenger vans (with the rear seats still in)
- Rental vehicles in those categories that are under 15 feet long
DPW does not allow commercial vehicles, personal vehicles with commercial tags, any kind of trailer (owned, borrowed or rented), trucks with sideboards, ladder racks or stake bodies, cargo vans, box trucks, or any truck longer than 15 feet. If you were planning to rent a trailer for a big cleanout, that plan won't work here.
What Fort Totten accepts
DPW's list for resident drop-off focuses on bulky household items and yard waste:
- Household furniture and rugs
- Mattresses, box springs and bed frames (DPW's Fort Totten page says mattresses don't need to be wrapped in plastic for drop-off)
- Major appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers and stoves
- Air conditioners, with water and fluids drained
- Water heaters
- Large toys like kiddie pools, playhouses and taken-apart swing sets
- Wooden pallets
- Yard waste
- Recycling
- Up to four tires, during the tire days listed above
A note on everyday trash
DPW's pages send mixed signals about regular garbage. They say residents can bring "bulk, trash and recycling," but the unacceptable list also tells you to put household garbage in your DPW trash can instead. Books likewise belong in your recycling cart at home. The safe approach is to use Fort Totten for bulky items, yard waste and recycling, and ask 311 before hauling bags of ordinary household trash.
What Fort Totten won't take
The refusal list is long. Highlights:
- Household hazardous waste, electronics and documents for shredding (these go to DPW's special collection events)
- Construction and renovation debris: drywall, insulation, ceiling tile, bricks, concrete, asphalt, rock, gravel, dirt and roofing
- Asbestos, plaster and creosote-treated lumber
- Food waste, animal carcasses and medical waste
- Auto parts, petroleum products, metal or plastic drums and storage tanks
- Ammunition and other explosives
- Tree stumps and sawdust
- Shopping carts
- Motorized riding devices such as scooters, motorized wheelchairs and kids' battery-powered ride-on toys
- Any waste from outside the District
Fees
DPW's resident drop-off page doesn't list a charge for residents. Commercial haulers, by contrast, must be licensed and set up an account (DPW gives (202) 715-7570 for that) and pay by credit card based on material type and tonnage. If you're unsure whether your load will be charged, call 311 before you go.
Free mulch for residents
When it's in stock, Fort Totten gives District residents free mulch during resident hours: up to five 32-gallon bags per visit. Bring your own bags and a shovel. Supply comes and goes, so check DPW's page or call first if mulch is the main reason for your trip.
Rules on site
DPW enforces a behavior code at its transfer stations. No smoking, alcohol, foul language, threats, gambling, scavenging ("junking") or public urination. Children under 13 and all pets must stay in the vehicle. DPW says violators can be banned from the District's transfer stations or prosecuted.
Tips for a smoother visit
- Go Saturday morning if you can; it's the only day with more than four hours of resident access.
- Double-check your ID pairing. Out-of-state license holders need a matching recent utility bill or lease.
- Leave the trailer at home. Trailers of any kind are refused.
- Separate tires and save them for a Wednesday through Friday trip.
- Drain your AC unit before loading it.
Alternatives to Fort Totten
- DPW bulk pickup. Households that get DPW trash service (single-family homes and buildings with three or fewer units) can book a free curbside bulk collection through 311, up to seven items per appointment. Set items out between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6 a.m. on collection day.
- Special waste events. DPW collects household hazardous waste, electronics and paper for shredding at scheduled events rather than at the transfer station.
- Private haulers. Apartment buildings with four or more units, condos, co-ops and businesses need a licensed private hauler.
Find more transfer stations near you
Use the nationwide dump map to find transfer stations and landfills around the DC region, or see our District of Columbia listings. For a general primer, read our transfer station near me guide.
Fort Totten Transfer Station FAQ
What are the Fort Totten Transfer Station hours?
For residents: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's closed to residents on Monday, and no Sunday resident hours are listed.
What ID do I need for the Fort Totten Transfer Station?
A DC driver's license, or an out-of-state photo ID plus a utility bill from the last 30 days or a copy of your lease or deed, with matching names.
Can I bring a trailer to Fort Totten Transfer Station?
No. DPW doesn't allow trailers of any kind, and it also refuses box trucks, cargo vans, commercial-tagged vehicles and trucks over 15 feet.
Does the Fort Totten Transfer Station take tires?
Yes, up to four tires, but only on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Is Benning Road Transfer Station open?
DPW says Benning Road Transfer Station is closed until further notice, and its resident services have moved to Fort Totten.
Before you go
Hours and rules change. We last checked this page on 2026-09-25 against DPW's Fort Totten Transfer Station page and its bulk trash collection page. Confirm current details on the official DPW Fort Totten page or by calling 311 before you haul.