Food Scrap Drop-Off Pilot Program

Baltimore City residents can drop-off food scraps for composting at one of DPW’s
five Residential Drop-Off locations. This drop-off initiative is 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.

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.

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.