RICHMOND — Residents of Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond now have access to an expanded food scrap composting program through the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.

The drop-off program is available at 22 sites, including convenience centers and public-use areas. New, 65-gallon purple carts have been stationed at the sites to collect residential food scraps and certified compostable materials.

“Central Virginia is entering its next era of recycling with the regional food scrap composting program,” CVWMA Executive Director Kim Hynes said. “We’re proud to offer our member jurisdictions a way to divert food waste from landfills and put it to beneficial use. Shockingly, food remains a huge contributor to municipal solid waste, making up about 25 percent of what’s in our nation’s landfills.”

Chesterfield County residents can drop their food scraps and compostables at both county convenience centers. They should look for the kiosks marked “Food Scrap Drop-off.” Residents are asked to use the compostable bags available at the kiosks to transport food scraps from home.

“Chesterfield County is excited to offer composting at our convenience centers for the first time to our residents through this new, regional program,” Chesterfield County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey said. “Composting is nature’s recycling, and a great way to reduce waste going to our landfills. Every little bit adds up.”

Residential composting programs established by Richmond and Henrico in recent years are now being managed by CVWMA. The arrangement is similar to how CVWMA works with localities on curbside and drop-off recycling programs.

“The purple cart program initiated three years ago by the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has been incredibly popular with residents and a key factor in helping the city toward its sustainability goals,” City of Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said. “We look forward to watching this program grow under the CVWMA umbrella.”

“Henrico saw strong community interest in composting when we started a pilot project at our public-use areas last year, and we are pleased to see it grow as part of a regional program,” Henrico County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said. “We have full faith in our partners at CVWMA to take the reins on such an important project as they continue to seek circular solutions for all waste in the region.”

More types of waste allowed
NOPE Compost Co., a Henrico-based small business, will service the drop-off sites weekly or semi-weekly through a new contract with CVWMA.

Because the material is being processed at an industrial composting facility, residents can compost more than just fruit and vegetable scraps. Meat, bones, food-soiled napkins, and certified compostable cups, plates and utensils can also go in the purple carts.

No plastics, pet waste or pizza boxes are allowed.

“NOPE Compost is thrilled to be contributing to our local circular economy,” said Marshall Hall, the company’s owner. “Every pound of food scraps we collect will be processed locally, transformed into nutrient-rich compost that will enrich local and regional soils.”

For every ton of food waste and compostables collected in the CVWMA program, NOPE will give back a 40-pound bag of finished compost that can be used in municipal plantings or distributed to the public.

Information about the CVWMA composting program, including the list of drop-off sites, is available at https://cvwma.com/compost.

CVWMA is a public-service authority established in 1990 to help the region meet state requirements for recycling. CVWMA serves 13 member jurisdictions with a variety of recycling and solid waste management programs.

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