Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-using) process that converts organic matter (i.e. food scraps) into compost, materials that can be added to the soil as a nutrient. Microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, feed on the carbon and nitrogen in the organic matter to grow and reproduce. Compost, the end product, is a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material that can be used to build healthy soil (USEPA).

When food scraps and other organic materials such as yard trimmings decompose in a landfill, it creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that causes climate change. Keeping wasted food and other organic materials out of landfills significantly reduces methane emissions.

Adding finished compost to soil:

• Returns nutrients and beneficial organisms to soil, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers
• Helps retain soil moisture, improves soil structure, and reduces the potential for soil erosion
• Keeps carbon in the soil (USEPA)

Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation crews will collect the food scraps and bring them to a city transfer facility. From there, the food scraps will be transported to the Harbor View Composting Facility, located in Chicago and operated by Whole Earth Compost, where they will be processed into compost, a valuable product that will be used to build healthy soil.

The City of Chicago aims for this program to produce high-quality, clean compost that can be used to build healthy soils. To keep the messaging clear and simple and avoid potential sources of contamination, no bags of any kind, not even certified compostable bags, are accepted with the food scraps.

If you would like to use a bag to line your food scrap container at home, please remove the bag when you empty your food scraps into the green cart and dispose of it in the black trash cart at the drop-off site.

Save money by avoiding bags altogether and simply washing your food scrap collection container when you get home from the drop-off site.

The City of Chicago aims for this program to produce a high-quality, clean compost that can be used to nourish and build healthy soils. This program accepts only food scraps to keep the messaging clear and simple and avoid potential sources of contamination.

For pizza boxes, tear off all parts of the box that are not greasy or food-soiled and recycle them in your Blue Cart or other recycling service. Dispose of the greasy or food-soiled parts of the pizza box in the trash.

Animal products or cooked food should not be added to backyard compost bins because they can attract rodents and the microbes in a backyard bin may not generate high enough temperatures to kill pathogens that may be introduced by these foods. Food scraps collected for this program will be composted at a commercial scale composting facility which uses large windrows that reach temperatures high enough to kill pathogens and more quickly break down materials.

Yes, do both! Backyard composting is a great way to keep fruit and vegetable scraps and yard waste (which may make up the majority of your compostable household materials) out of the municipal waste system altogether. Backyard composting has a lower carbon footprint since it doesn’t require transportation, and you can use the finished compost in your garden. So please do continue to use your backyard bin for your plant-based food scraps and yard waste and take the rest of your food scraps (meat, dairy, cooked foods, bread & grains) to the food scrap drop-off location nearest you.

A typical household wastes about $1,500 per year on food that isn’t eaten (USDA). Wasted food also wastes all the water, energy, land, labor, and money that went into producing it. Preventing food waste in the first place helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and saves you money.

Shop smart, store your food so it lasts longer, and use your leftovers creatively. Learn how at:

• SaveTheFood.com
• NRDC: Reducing Food Waste: Eight Tips for Home Cooks

 Some key statistics:

• In the U.S., 38% of all food goes unsold or uneaten – and most of that goes to waste (ReFED).
• Food waste makes up over 24% of municipal solid waste in the U.S., more than any other material (USEPA, 2019 Wasted Food Report).