About Us

COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community & Economy

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

Environment

America Recycles Day

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The twenty-sixth annual national America Recycles Day (ARD) is Wednesday, November 15, 2025. Local governments in metropolitan Washington traditionally hold several ARD events in October and November. Washington area residents can pledge below to recycle (or on the pledge page), which enters them into a drawing for local prizes.

The goal of America Recycles Day is to build consumer demand for recycled products and to educate all Americans about the environmental and economic benefits of recycling. COG wants to make consumers aware of the importance of "Buying Recycled."

Washington Region America Recycles Day Pledge Form

Regional Prizes:

$300 gift certificate at REI (all ages)
K-12 Prize - $300 gift certificate at REI AND $500 grant to the local K-12 environmental program/club of choice (must be K-12 student)

Your First Name *

Your Last Name *

E-mail *

Phone

Street Address *

Address 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

For America Recycles Day 2025, I pledge to:

...

Buy more recycled-content products
Reduce waste
Reuse household items more
Increase my recycling efforts
Compost more at home

Are you a school student in kindergarten - 12th grade (K-12)

... *

Please enter me in the drawings to be held in December for regional prizes. One entry per person. No purchase necessary. Entrant of any age may win local prizes with exception of K-12 prize. Entries for prizes must be received by November 21. Complete set of rules.

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