Food Waste Composting Stations

Page updated on Apr 20, 2021 at 4:27 PM

What's New

  • 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.

Food Waste Composting Stations

Farmers Markets Food WasteThe 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.

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

Compost Bucket

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

Program Flyer

Compost Yes/No 2019
2019 Resource Recovery Stations Flyer

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