WASHINGTON — Montgomery County is giving food waste a fresh new lease on life—through composting! The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just launched a "Food Scraps Recycling Drop-Offs" program at three of its farmers markets, bringing a whole new meaning to farm-to-table…and back to farm.
Whether you’re tossing out the remains of last night’s spaghetti or those squishy forgotten veggies, you can now turn your kitchen scraps into something good for the earth.
What's cookin' in compost?
Here’s the lineup of foods you can save from the landfill:
- Bread and grains – Don’t let your stale baguette loaf around.
- Coffee grounds and tea leaves (filters removed) – Because your morning brew deserves a second chance.
- Cooked food – Leftovers? Yes please.
- Dairy (cheese and yogurt) – Your fridge’s funky friends finally have a place to go.
- Eggshells – Crack those shells and compost.
- Fruit and veggie scraps – Even those Halloween pumpkins can squash their fate in a landfill.
- Meat, fish, and bones – Yes, even the meaty bits can make it into the compost pot.
Drop-off locations
To make it even easier to compost your food scraps, you can drop them off while you’re picking up fresh produce at your favorite farmers markets. These convenient spots are ready to take your food waste year-round:
- Bethesda Central Farmers Market – Sundays, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Downtown Silver Spring Market – Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Olney Farmers and Artists Market – Sundays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
County Executive Marc Elrich encourages everyone to get on board, saying, "Recycling food scraps is a simple step we can all take to reduce waste and make a positive impact on the environment." Sounds like a recipe for success, doesn’t it?
Compost for the future
According to DEP Director Jon Monger, food scraps make up a huge portion of what’s currently going to landfills. "That progress starts with each of us in our own homes and kitchens," he said. By recycling food scraps, you’re not only cleaning up your fridge but also helping the County achieve its zero-waste goals. Plus, it’s a great way to cook up some sustainability for future generations.
So, whether you’re dropping off banana peels or potato skins, Montgomery County’s food scraps recycling program is here to help you turnip the compost game. It’s a win for your kitchen, your community, and the planet.