Mobile Food Waste Collection and Compost Education Program

In addition to the three food-waste drop-off centers currently available (view existing drop-off locations ),The City is also equipped to accept food-waste drop-offs at the Fayetteville Farmers Market, thanks to a new a new Food Waste Recovery Trailer made possible by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) pilot project grant! The Mobile Food Waste Collection pilot program is part of the City of Fayetteville's Food Waste Expansion Program, which aims to increase the amount of organic material diverted from the landfill.

Learn more about the City of Fayetteville's composting program.

How it Works

Picture of a home composting bucket with food scraps falling into itThe City will provide participating residents with 3.5-gallon or 5-gallon food-waste containers that can be sealed and kept within the home. Residents may then bring their containers with them when shopping at the Farmers Market or attending other Fayetteville events to drop their food waste into larger containers on the Food Waste Recovery Trailer. The food waste will then be delivered to the Fayetteville Compost Facility.

The USDA grant also provides for a Compost Educator who will provide educational materials and programming to the public, including information about the importance of food-waste and yard-waste composting, the life-cycle of organic waste, and how organics in our landfill can contribute to the production of methane gas, a greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global climate change.

How is it Funded?

This pilot project is made possible, in part, through a $73,870 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) pilot project grant. The primary goal of the CCFWR pilot project is to assist local governments with projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing strategies that will 1) generate compost; 2) increase access to compost for agricultural producers; 3) reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer; 4) improve soil quality; 5) encourage waste management and permaculture business development; 6) increase rainwater absorption; 7) reduce municipal food waste; 8) divert food waste from landfill.

The grant funding is matched by funds from the City's Recycling and Trash Collections Division and the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District.

Side of Fayetteville's compost trailer with graphics promoting the value of composting

Mobile Food Waste Collection Pilot Program Partners

This project offers many opportunities for the City of Fayetteville to partner, collaborate and catalyze change with multiple organizations, non-profits, businesses and institutions. The following collaborators will participate in this pilot program:

Boston Mountain Solid Waste District

The BMSWD and the City have worked together to create a Compost Educator position to do outreach in the smaller communities and unincorporated areas of Washington and Madison Counties. The Compost Educator position is contracted through a third-party contract agreement with BMSWD. 

Fayetteville Farmers Market

The Fayetteville Farmers Market has operated on the historic downtown Fayetteville Square continuously since 1973. The Market is open from 7 am to 2 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The City, in partnership with the Fayetteville Farmers Market, will coordinate locating the Food Compost Recovery Trailer at a convenient location at the market. The Compost Educator will staff the trailer, oversee volunteers, and provide educational conversation and print or digital information. 

Trinity United Methodist Church
1021 W Sycamore Street
Drop-off available 24/7

Yacht Club on College
617 N College Ave
Drop-off available 24/7

University of Arkansas Office for Sustainability

The University of Arkansas (U of A) Office for Sustainability (OfS) works on the issues of climate, transportation, biodiversity, zero waste, and academics and outreach. In 2017, Chartwells Dining Services worked with the City of Fayetteville to develop a pre- and post-consumer food-waste composting program. The U of A Office for Sustainability will partner with the City to continue education and outreach efforts with U of A students, and will host the City’s mobile Food Waste Recovery Trailer at numerous campus events.