Food Waste Composting Stations at Farmers' Markets
The City's Resource Recovery Division operates Food Waste Drop-Off Stations, located at Farmers' Markets in the City. 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.
Pumpkin Rescue
Join the 2025 Pumpkin Rescue in Alexandria!
There are two ways to participate at City farmers’ markets:
- Donate your intact, unpainted, and uncut pumpkins, gourds, and squash to feed local families with ALIVE! Alexandria; or
- Bring your jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins, gourds, and squash in ANY condition (including molding or rotting items) to any Food Waste Drop-Off Station to divert waste from the landfill and create nutrient-rich compost! Please remove any candles, wax and other non-compostable materials and cut them into small pieces.
Residents can drop off items for donation or composting at any listed Food Waste Drop-Off location November 1-2, November 8-9, and November 15-16.
Residents who receive curbside compost collection services will be able to place one jack-o-lantern, pumpkin, gourd, or squash out with their bins for collection on their regularly scheduled pickup day per week.
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. -- Opens April 7 through December 8
West End Farmers' Market
4800 Brenman Park Drive
Sundays, 8.30 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Open Year Round
Old Town North Farmers' Market
901 North Royal Street
Sundays, (Summer Hours) 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Open Year Round
The Market at Southern Towers
4901 Seminary Rd
Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Open Year Round
Please note, that market locations and dates are subject to change. Services may be delayed or canceled 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 at the Farmers' Market Composting Stations
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 at the Farmers' Market Composting Stations
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
