COMPOSTING
Composting is a great strategy to divert organic waste from going to a landfill by reusing it to make nutrient-rich soil. Here are some of the different ways to get started composting.
COMPOST PICK-UP SERVICES
For those with limited space, compost pick up services are a great option to explore. These services will drop off a clean, empty bucket, and retrieve your full compost bucket, on a set schedule of your choosing. They can often handle materials that at-home composting couldn't, like meats, oils, citrus peels, and more (make sure to check their accepted materials). Below is a sign up link for our partners at Collective Resource Compost.
OTHER Pick-Up Service RESOURCES
Illinois Food Scrap Coalition lists the compost haulers that service Chicago and other parts of Illinois, in addition to other composting resources
COMPOST DROP-OFF
You can also drop off your food scraps at several locations throughout the city. Some accept food scraps for free, and others charge a small fee - either way, this option is usually much less expensive than using a pick-up service. Be sure to check the accepted materials at each location before you begin collecting food scraps to drop off.
The Urban Canopy accepts compost bucket drop-offs at their farmers' market stands. Find the list of locations here.
Green City Market now offers drop off for compost at all of their market locations! Find locations and available days/times for drop offs here.
COMPOSTING AT HOME
If you have a yard, you can set up a backyard composter, which is an easy, low-maintenance solution. We'd recommend keeping a small bowl or bin on your counter top or in your freezer for food scraps, and when it’s full then carrying it outside to the composter. Meat, cheese, and other oils usually can’t be composted using this method because the richer food can attract animals. However, it’s a convenient and inexpensive solution – plus, you'll end up with rich soil to use in your garden or house plants.
There are a few other at-home composting options to explore, too. Vermicomposting uses worms to break down food matter quickly. You can also try the bokashi composting method.
The Illinois Food Scrap Coalition offers additional information on all of these methods.