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City Reopens Food Waste Composting at Farmers' Markets
The City of Alexandria’s food waste composting stations reopened at the Del Ray and Old Town farmers’ markets on Saturday, August 1, and at the Four Mile Run and West End markets on Sunday, August 2. See below for operating hours and new protocols related to COVID-19. Residents are also encouraged to consider ways to reduce food waste or backyard composting if possible. - Resource Recovery Service Changes Due to COVID-19
The City of Alexandria has published a dedicated page to update residents on resource recovery services due to COVID-19.
Food Waste Composting Stations
The Department of Transportation & Environmental Services'
Resource Recovery Division operates Food Waste Drop-Off Stations, located at four of the City's Farmers' Markets. City residents can drop off food waste free of charge. The food waste will be taken to a local composting site and processed into compost, a rich soil amendment. Staff will be on site to explain how to compost food and yard waste at home, and accept items for composting.
COVID-19 Precautions
To protect staff and members of the public, new COVID-19 protocols are in place at the City's compost stations.
The City asks residents to wear a facial covering or mask and maintain 6 feet of physical distance from staff and other users of the food waste drop-off program.
Shared items such as cloth towels, spoons, and pens will not be available for customer use.
To help users and staff maintain distance, the City will temporarily suspend selling kitchen-top compost buckets and giving away compost samples at the markets. Visitors are encouraged to wash their compost bins with soap and hot water after drop off, as an extra precaution.
Locations
Old Town Farmers' Market
Market Square, 301 King Street
Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. -- Open Year Round
Del Ray Farmers' Market
Corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon Avenues
Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. -- Open Year Round
Four Mile Run Farmers' Market
4109 Mount Vernon Avenue
Sundays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Open Year Round
West End Farmers' Market
4800 Brenman Park Drive
Sundays, 8.30 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Open May through November 15
Please note, market locations and dates are subject to change. Services may be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather or other rare circumstances. Updates regarding any changes are shared on T&ES social media channels ( Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
Materials Accepted
The following items CAN be placed into food waste collection buckets for composting:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Bread, pasta, rice, grains, & cereal
- Nuts, beans, seeds (including shells/hulls)
- Coffee grounds, filters, tea bags (no foil or foil-backed products)
- Egg Shells
- Flowers
Materials Not Accepted
The following items CANNOT be placed in food waste buckets:
- Meat, fish, shellfish (including bones)
- Dairy products (cheese, butter, ice cream, etc.)
- Fats, oils or grease
- Pet waste
- Foam
- Plastic bags, wrap, & film
- Yard waste
- Rubber bands and small fruit labels
- Diapers
