US Cities See Rise in Food Scrap Pickup Services

Across the United States, a growing number of small businesses are collecting food scraps from homes and restaurants, aiming to divert organic waste from landfills and make composting more accessible. Companies like Scrap Soils in Detroit are playing a role in this burgeoning sector, offering convenient pickup services for those who cannot compost at home, live in areas without municipal curbside collection, or cannot reach existing drop-off locations.

These services collect items such as coffee grounds, eggshells, and vegetable scraps. When food waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting, conversely, transforms this waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Emily Cassidy, a research associate at climate solutions nonprofit Project Drawdown, highlighted the dual benefits of composting: reducing landfill emissions and replenishing soil with vital nutrients. "Because methane has such a big impact on the climate in a short amount of time, the more we can reduce methane, it is like pulling the emergency brake on climate change," Cassidy said. She added that composting also supports local food production.

Ricky Blanding, CEO of Scrap Soils, co-launched the company in 2020 to address food waste in Detroit. Food waste is a significant source of methane emissions in Michigan landfills, contributing to millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions statewide. Scrap Soils serves over 70 residential and commercial clients in Detroit, with home pickups starting at $15 per month and business rates beginning at $60 per month, depending on volume.

Lou Hammer, executive chef at The Grand Porter restaurant in Detroit, noted the ease of the service. "It doesn’t take any extra effort," she said. "This was going to go in a bag anyway. It’s just going to go in a green bag instead."

After collection, Blanding transports the scraps to Sanctuary Farms in Detroit for composting. The resulting soil additive is then available for purchase. Blanding sees food waste not just as a problem but also as a solution to environmental challenges. Scrap Soils aims to expand by acquiring a larger truck and its own composting property and equipment, currently fundraising to meet a matching state grant.

Despite the growth, companies like Scrap Soils face challenges, including overcoming skepticism and increasing customer engagement. Educating the public on what can and cannot be composted, and the proper methods, is crucial for success. "The role of a hauler is very important, and education around composting is also very important," Blanding stated.

Independent composting programs are expanding nationwide, with examples including the Denver Compost Collective, Nashville’s Compost Co., and Compost Now, which operates in Atlanta and North Carolina. While hundreds of municipal governments offer food waste collection or drop-off programs, there is still significant room for growth compared to traditional waste programs. A 2023 report identified 400 municipally supported residential food waste collection programs in the U.S., with 230 offering curbside pickup.

Composting is increasingly integrated into broader climate action plans for many U.S. cities. Detroit's climate strategy, for instance, includes a goal to divert 15% of waste from landfills within three years. The city launched its first municipal food scrap drop-off initiative last year, partnering with Scrap Soils for its educational campaign. Future plans include expanding drop-off locations and implementing on-site composting at municipal buildings. Tepfirah Rushdan, Detroit's director of sustainability, emphasized that composting and recycling are accessible entry points for individuals to contribute to sustainability goals. "As we make this transition to different ways of doing all of our systems, including our waste streams, it’s exciting to see people participating,” she said.