A new Arlington program seeks to make it easier for people who live in apartments to compost their food scraps.
New food disposal bins have appeared near 14 multifamily properties across the county, inviting apartment dwellers to divert food waste and food-soiled paper away from the landfill and into the county’s composting program.
To use the bins, residents must download the Bigbelly Smart Compost app to view available locations, then scan a QR code to unlock the bins and dispose of waste.
“With the new bins, we will divert food waste from incineration and landfills and turn it into nutrient-rich compost,” a YouTube video released last week says.
The bins — funded through a Virginia Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant — have collected over 1,000 pounds of food waste since installation began on July 9, county spokesperson Katie O’Brien told ARLnow. The county is currently working with property owners near the bins to raise awareness, with plans to host pop-up events throughout the summer to educate residents and answer questions.
Acceptable materials for the bins include all food scraps, food-soiled napkins and paper towels, cooking oil, coffee filters and coffee grounds.
Toxic or pathogenic materials such as dog poo, used tissues, kitty litter and medicine are not allowed. Neither are “unnatural materials” including gum, cosmetics and any synthetic or inorganic matter.
Arlington residents living in multifamily buildings have historically had limited composting options.
The county rolled out a food scraps collection service back in 2021. However, county waste collection primarily serves single-family homes and not larger multifamily buildings, which must contract for their own private waste hauling service.
For Arlington apartment residents, viable nearby options for composting have included visiting either the county’s Trades Center at 4300 29th Street S. or a farmers market that accepts food scraps.
The county hopes to substantially expand its compost programs in years to come. The Solid Waste Management Plan, approved in June, calls for developing a “comprehensive organics management program” focused on food waste at offices and apartment buildings between 2029 and 2034.
“Commercial and multi-family properties will be expected to establish an organics diversion program at their facility,” the document says.
A complete list of the food disposal bin locations is below.
- National Landing
Crystal Drive and 18th Street S. - Glebe Road
2910 S. Glebe Road - Aurora Highlands Library
735 18th Street S. - Culpepper Gardens
4500 block of N. Henderson Road - Quincy Park
N. Quincy Street & Washington Blvd. - Rosslyn
N. Pierce Street & Clarendon Blvd.
N. Pierce Street & Wilson Blvd. - Arlington Mill Community Center
909 S. Dinwiddie Street (near bus stop) - Ballston Metro Station
Fairfax Drive & N. Monroe Street
Fairfax Drive & N. Stuart Street - Ballston
Fairfax Drive & N. Quincy Street (northwest corner)
Wilson Blvd & N. Stuart Street (southeast corner)
Wilson Blvd & N. Quincy Street (northeast corner, near Capital Bikeshare station)
Wilson Blvd & N. Oakland Street (southeast corner bus stop)
