Food Scraps Composting

New Winter Hours for Midtown Farmers Market Composting

The pilot food scraps collection at Midtown Farmers Market has been extended! Midtown Farmers Market will host food scraps collection carts on Saturdays from 10 am until noon. Visit the market at The Commons, 4191 Main at North Hills St, Raleigh 27609. The Winter Market operates every Saturday, weather permitting, from November 11, 2023 through April 6, 2024. 

Look for the black CompostNow carts and a large informational sign near the entrance to the market. Use the carts only for food (cooked or raw), paper towels, paper napkins, and coffee filters. This pilot is a collaboration between Wake County Solid Waste Management Division, the Midtown Farmers Market, Toward Zero Waste and CompostNow. 

Wake County offers four drop-off sites for residents who want to keep food waste out of the landfill, but don't have the capacity to compost at home. Food waste collected at the sites is transported to an industrial composting facility. Users must remove all food from packaging. Plastic bags contaminate the compost, but compostable bags are available for free at each site. 

Look for the "Food Scraps Composting" sign and black collection carts at these locations:

Food waste collection sites were chosen based on multiple factors, including available space and proximity to food waste haulers. Businesses or organizations interested in hosting a food waste collection site should email recycling@wake.gov to explore potential partnerships.

What Items Are Accepted for Food Waste Collection?

Acceptable Items

Fruits and vegetables

Cheese, dairy products, and eggs 

Breads, cereals, pasta and rice

Coffee grounds and paper filters

Tea leaves and tea bags

Cooked meats

Paper napkins and towels

Paper egg cartons and drink trays

Unacceptable Items

Plastic bags, wrappers, and film

Boxes, cans, jars or other packages

Cooking oil and liquids

Cups, plates or cutlery unless labeled "BPI Certified Compostable" or "ASTM D6400" or "ASTM D6868"

Coffee pods, produce stickers, rubber bands

Yard waste