Durhamites interested in composting have a new, free option. The City of Durham is opening new public food waste sites where residents and employees can dispose of food scraps in special containers. The initiative is part of the city’s effort to divert waste from landfills.
The two containers are available for use by residents and city employees. The containers are located at the city’s loading dock at 101 City Hall Plaza and at the Waste Disposal and Recycling Center, 2115 E. Club Blvd.
To use them, users must download the CompostHere app and unlock one of the containers with the app. Collected food scraps will then be delivered to the city’s composting site, and will be composted and sold by Atlas Organics.
The 65-gallon carts are intended for food waste from residential locations only. Business and event waste will not be accepted, and metal, glass, and plastic (including biobags) are not allowed in the containers.
The pilot program is funded chiefly by a $20,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, along with supplemental funds from the city. The new service supplements the city’s pilot program for curbside food waste collection, which serves 440 households.
The city plans to evaluate the pilot program through June 30, 2025, and will then assess whether to expand the program to other areas of the city.
More information about the program and about composting at home can be found on the city’s composting page or by calling Durham OneCall, (919) 560-1200.
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