Food waste drop-offs open June 2 in Wards 7 and 8

DPW is celebrating Earth Month by reopening food waste drop-off’s throughout the city — though the Wards 7 and 8 sites do not open until June 2. And on Earth Day weekend (April 21-22), DPW is giving away kitchen caddies to the first 50 people at each open drop-off location to make food waste composting easier. Caddies will also be given free to the first 50 people at the June 2 farmers markets in Wards 7 and 8. 

Since the Food Waste Drop-Off program started Earth Day 2017, DPW has collected close to 150,000 pounds of organics from more than 20,000 participants.

So what IS the program? Residents collect food waste at home and then drop it off at designated farmers markets. From there, the waste is composted at District community composting sites and at the Prince George’s County Organics Compost facility.

What you can compost as part of the program: fruit and vegetable scraps; breads, grains, cereals, rice and pasta; coffee grounds, coffee filters and tea bags; egg shells; household flowers; and nutshells.

What you CANNOT compost: dairy, meat, and fish.

Composting in Wards 7 and 8: Minnesota Avenue Farmers' Market, 3924 Minnesota Ave NE, Saturdays starting June 2, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; Ward 8 Farmers’ Market, 3200 6th St SE, Saturdays starting June 2, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Read about the benefits of composting in Composting with DC's Food Waste Drop-off Program.