Food Scrap Recycling: Give Your Scraps a Second Life

Recycling food scraps is a simple way to reduce waste and help the environment. Instead of throwing away food scraps like apple cores, eggshells, and vegetable peels, you can recycle them into nutrient-rich compost or use them as animal feed. This process keeps food waste out of landfills and helps build healthier soil for future use.

A close-up of a compost pile showing decomposing food scraps, including eggshells, fruit peels, and vegetable scraps mixed with soil and organic materials. The organic waste is breaking down, contributing to nutrient-rich compost.

Food Scrap Recycling: Give Your Scraps a Second Life

Why is Food Scrap Recycling Important?

Food waste makes up about 40% of household trash. When food scraps break down in landfills, they release methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By managing food waste more sustainably, we can all play a part in reducing pollution and conserving resources.

How Can You Reduce Food Waste?

  1. Plan ahead – Make a shopping list and check your pantry before buying new groceries.
  2. Store food properly – Extend the shelf life of food by keeping it fresh and designating an "Eat Me First" section in your fridge.
  3. Repurpose leftovers – Get creative with cooking by pickling, canning, or making new meals with extra ingredients.
  4. Recycle the rest – Compost food scraps at home, use a local hauler, or drop them off at designated collection sites.
A person pouring fresh food scraps, including banana peels, orange slices, lettuce, and carrot pieces, into a compost bin filled with dark, rich soil. The image highlights the composting process as a sustainable way to manage organic waste.

Where Can You Recycle Your Food Scraps?

Residents can bring their food scraps to:

  • All five Residential Recycling Centers

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What Can Be Recycled?

Accepted Items:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Eggshells
  • Gourds
  • Grains, breads, and pasta
  • Coffee grounds
  • Paper tea bags (without staples)

Not Accepted:

  • Oils
  • Produce stickers
  • Paper products
  • Compostable tableware
  • Plastic bags

Helpful Tips for Collecting Food Scraps

  • Bring food scraps in any container of your choice. At the drop-off site, empty the scraps into the designated bin—no plastic bags allowed.
  • Repurpose an old coffee can or sealed container for food scrap storage.
  • To reduce odors, keep food scraps in the fridge or freezer until drop-off.

Who Can Participate?

This program is for residents only. Businesses interested in composting can arrange food scrap pickup with a private hauler.

By recycling your food scraps, you’re helping create healthier soil, reducing landfill waste, and making Baltimore a greener city. Get started today by dropping off your food scraps at one of the designated locations!