Food Scrap Drop-Off Program
Baltimore City residents can drop-off food scraps for composting at one of DPW’s five Residential Drop-Off locations. In addition to the DPW Residential Drop-off sites, residents can bring food waste to two farmers’ market collection sites, JFX Farmers’ Market and the 32nd Street Farmers’ Market.
DPW's food scrap drop-off initiative started as a pilot program funded by a grant agreement with NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) as part of the Food Matters Regional Initiative. The partnership between the City and NRDC seeks to implement projects to advance food waste prevention, food rescue and composting.
Where Can I Drop off Food Scraps?
| Location | Quarantine Road Landfill |
| Address | 6100 Quarantine Road |
| Drop-off Days | Monday-Saturday |
| Drop-off Times | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Location | Western Sanitation Yard |
| Address | 701 Reedbird Ave. |
| Drop-off Days | Monday-Saturday |
| Drop-off Times | Labor Day to Memorial Day: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Location | Eastern Sanitation Yard |
| Address | 6101 Bowley’s Lane |
| Drop-off Days | Monday-Saturday |
| Drop-off Times | Labor Day to Memorial Day: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Location | Sisson Street Drop-Off Center |
| Address | 2840 Sisson Street |
| Drop-off Days | Monday-Saturday |
| Drop-off Times | Labor Day to Memorial Day: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Location | Northwest Transfer Station |
| Address | 5030 Reisterstown Road |
| Drop-off Days | Monday-Saturday |
| Drop-off Times | 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Location | 32nd Street Farmer's Market |
| Address | 32nd and Barclay Street. |
| Drop-off Days | Saturday (open year around) |
| Drop-off Times | 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |
| Location | JFX Farmer's Market and Bazaar |
| Address | Holliday and Saratoga |
| Drop-off Days | Sunday (open April- December) |
| Drop-off Times | 7:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. |
List of Items Accepted in the Food Scraps Drop-Off Sites
| Accepted | Not Accepted |
| Fruits | Meat or Fish bones, scales, or crab shells |
| Vegetables | Dairy |
| Coffee Grounds | Fats, Grease, Oils |
| Tea Bags | Paper Products |
| Grains and Bread | Compostable Bags |
| Pasta/Rice | Compostable Tableware |
| Cereal | Plastic Bags |
| Egg Shells | Produce Stickers |
Download our Food Scrap Drop-Off Fact Sheet
How to Bring Your Food Scraps to a Drop-off Site
You can bring food scraps in any container of your choice. Once you arrive at the drop-off location, you will empty your food scraps into the designated container. To bring your acceptable food scraps to the drop-off site, you can use any reusable container. Please note that containers or bags of all types must be emptied (plastic, paper, compostable) into the designated container at the drop-off site. Do not place bagged items in these containers.
How to Store Food Scraps at Home
When collecting your food scraps at home, you can practice ‘reuse’ by using an empty coffee canister or a snack container with a lid to store your food scraps. When storing these food scraps, placing them in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to bring them to a drop-off location will decrease any chance for odor.
Can Businesses Drop-off Food Waste?
This pilot is taking place at the residential drop-off centers, and is only available to residents. Businesses that wish to compost may contract with a private hauler to have food scraps picked up from their business.
Can I compost at home
Yes! Residents may compost at home, please visit our Source Reduction page for home composting tips. Please note that DPW does not provide curbside compost collections.