WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
Protecting the environment has always been a core value for me and important to my work.
That’s why I could not be prouder to introduce major legislation that will impact the future of our environment, addressing an issue that affects not only my kids, but theirs to come.
D.C. has a significant litter problem – in particular, our District has a problem with beverage containers, which end up on the ground and in our waterways by the ton. These containers alone account for 60 percent of the weight of all trash retrieved from the Anacostia River.
Our current recycling process is not enough to handle this problem. The promise that was made to my generation years ago – that if we dutifully put our recycling into the bin, it would not end up in landfills – is a lie. In fact, the majority of it is not being recycled.
There is a solution. And that solution has been implemented in 10 states. It has been highly and measurably successful in every one of those states.
With my legislation, the Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025, retailers would collect 10 cents for every beverage bottle or can and customers would bring back their containers and get their 10 cents back. Beverage distributors take care of the rest – they would create an entity to pay the stores a handling fee for their role and work with stores to transport the bottles and cans to recycling facilities. (Small corner stores won’t be required to take back bottles – customers could return them elsewhere.)
D.C.’s “bottle bill” will drastically reduce litter in streets, parks, and rivers by incentivizing people to return their containers.
The bill is projected to increase recycling rates by more than three times and cut the number of containers that end up in the incinerator, landfill, or the environment by five times.
I’m excited to have introduced this bill alongside Chairman Mendelson and nine of my Council colleagues, and with the support of advocates and environmental groups who have been working on this issue for years. A bottle deposit program will have a profound impact on the environment and on the quality of life in our city and will get us one giant step closer to meeting our zero waste goals.
Great News for Violence Prevention and Public Safety in Ward 1
InnerCity Collaborative CDC was recently awarded a contract from the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement to expand violence interruption services in Ward 1 neighborhoods. InnerCity has already been doing great work in Ward 1 as the organization tapped by the Office of the Attorney General to run its Cure the Streets program here.
The Cure the Streets model and the ONSE model have similarities and complement each other well, meaning that InnerCity will now be able to provide even more comprehensive services, building on their deep connections in the community, working to de-escalate conflicts before they result in gun violence, and working to build community. They will also expand the geography of their work in the ward, adding LeDroit Park.
InnerCity also recently received a grant through the Child and Family Services Agency to serve families in crisis, addressing food insecurity, domestic violence, and making sure young people have what they need to stay and be successful in school.
I am routinely in contact with Rev. Judie Martin, who runs InnerCity, coordinating and communicating about what’s happening in the neighborhood and how my office and the Council can support her work. Rev. Judie’s personal and professional commitment to the community she serves is inspiring. She and her team have been incredible partners in this work.
COUNCIL UPDATES |
Performance oversight season kicks off
As a Councilmember, holding District agencies accountable is one of my key responsibilities. Performance oversight hearings give me the opportunity to ask the tough questions about the work the agencies are doing, the challenges they are facing, and the plans they have to overcome obstacles and deliver for District residents.
As District residents, I strongly encourage you to attend and speak at these hearings. You know best how the work of agencies effects our communities. You fill out agency forms, apply for permits and licenses, and bring your trash to the curb to be picked up. Performance oversight hearings give you the chance to tell us – and the agencies themselves(!) – how they are doing by testifying before committees, submitting written testimony, and contacting your councilmembers.
On Thursday, the Committee of Public Works and Operations, which I chair, held its first performance oversight hearing with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. We talked about protections for renters through transparency about corporate owners and I challenged them to explain the slow process of implementing the street vending law.
Residents are a key part of this process, and I hope that many of you will choose to participate. You can find the schedule of the remaining hearings for my Committee on our website, and for all of the Council’s committees on the Council website.
Resources for Immigrants
Thank you to those of you reaching out and looking for ways to support your neighbors.
Like many of you, I am concerned for our immigrant neighbors and closely monitoring the situation and the tools at our disposal. I am in conversation with colleagues and the Attorney General, and we are collectively engaged with Rep. Holmes Norton, other allies in Congress, and Mayor Bowser. Our intent is to be strategic and smart about how we approach actions by the new administration.
What’s happening at national level doesn’t change who we are and our values.
Please turn to the Immigration Resources page on our website for a list of organizations and other resources.
BRIANNE IN WARD 1 |
Thank you to residents who joined us for our Utility Drop In event with Pepco, DC Water, Washington Gas, DOEE, and the Public Service Commission. For more support on utility bills and account questions, head to our resources page and stay tuned for future events.
Thank you, Children’s National Hospital, for hosting me and Councilmembers Frumin and Henderson at your Research and Innovation Campus. Children’s National is a leader in researching and treating rare pediatric diseases. It was amazing to see the dedication and drive for treating kids here in DC and across the globe.
COMMUNITY UPDATES |
Job opening: Constituent Services Specialist
Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau is hiring a Constituent Services Specialist. This position will work with the constituent services team to serve the residents and small businesses of Ward 1. The specialist will research and respond to constituent services requests and assist with community engagement.
Updates on Ward 1 construction projects
Join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation on Monday, February 3 for a virtual community meeting on upcoming capital construction projects coming to Ward 1.
E-bike incentives
The District E-Bike Incentive Program is back! District residents can apply between February 1 – 21 to receive up to $1,500 towards the purchase of an e-bike.
Air quality in the District
DOEE recognizes that air quality is more than an environmental health issue; it is a matter of environmental justice. To better understand the disparities and address this imbalance, DOEE seeks to increase its measurements of air pollution on a hyperlocal scale by empowering residents from across the District to participate in the PurpleAir monitoring project.
By monitoring air pollution in neighborhoods, we can gain better insight into specific pollution hotspots. DOEE will use the localized data to inform potential interventions and policy decisions and encourage further research on environmental justice issues throughout the District.
Fifty years of Home Rule
Join the DC History Center to celebrate its special issue of Washington History magazine recognizing the 50-year legacy of Home Rule in Washington, DC.
On January 30, the Center will livestream a conversation with historian Michael Fauntroy, nephew of civil rights activist Walter Fauntroy, and journalist Martin Austermuhle.
26th Annual DC Youth Poetry Contest
The Junior League is hosting the 26th Annual DC Youth Poetry Contest for 4-8th grade students in the D.C. area. This year’s theme is “Shine”. Selected poems will be published in the Capitol Cadence, JLW’s annual collection of student poetry.
IN THE NEWS |
WASHINGTON POST
D.C. Council bill would allow bottles and cans to be recycled for cash
NBC WASHINGTON
DC considers 10-cent bottle and can deposit to cut littering
WTOP
DC Council proposes ‘bottle bill’ requiring 10-cent deposit on cans and bottles
FOX5
DC leaders introduce bill to reduce litter, increase recycling
WJLA
A bottle bill could bring money and cleaner neighborhoods to DC communities
DC NEWS NOW
DC council to consider ‘bottle deposit bill’ in attempt to reduce litter, increase recycling
WASHINGTON CITY PAPER
D.C.’s Open Caption Law Went Into Effect in October. Is It Working?
CALENDAR |
DC Council Public Hearing
Tuesday, January 28, 12 pm | online and in-person
The Council will hold a Public Hearing on the expulsion of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. for Code of Conduct violations.
Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing: Office of Religious Affairs, Office of Veterans Affairs, Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Thursday, January 30, 9:30 am | online and in-person
DC Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, February 4, 12 pm | online and in-person
Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing: Office of Administrative Hearings
Tuesday, February 6, 9:30 am | online and in-person
Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing: Department of Public Works
Tuesday, February 11, 11 am | online and in-person
Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing: Contract Appeals Board, Office of Human Rights
Tuesday, February 12, 9:30 am | online and in-person
Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing: Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Office of Risk Management
Tuesday, February 13, 9:30 am | online and in-person
Council offices closed in observance of Washington’s Birthday
Monday, February 17
Committee on Public Works & Operations Performance Oversight Hearing: Office of Contracting and Procurement, Department of For-Hire Vehicles
Tuesday, February 26, 9:30 am | online and in-person
CONTACT US |
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | [email protected]
Ariel Ardura | Committee Director | [email protected]
Abigail Boshart | Legislative Aide | [email protected]
Amanda Chulick | Legislative Analyst | [email protected]
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | [email protected]
Kara Dunford | Communications Specialist | [email protected]
Estelle McKinney | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | [email protected]
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | [email protected]
