Multi-Family Food Scraps Recycling

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A young child tipping a bowl of vegetable peelings and whole tomatoes into the kitchen composting bin.

The Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Recycling and Resource Management Division’s (RRMD) Waste Reduction and Recycling Section is providing technical assistance and education to multi-family properties to implement a food scraps recycling collection program. This supports the County’s efforts toward reducing waste, reusing items and materials, and recycling more while aiming for Zero Waste.

Food scraps resources

Food scraps recycling checklist

A mix of food scraps: eggshells, coffee grounds, lettuce, orange peels, apple cores.

Download the food scraps recycling checklist (PDF) to help you initiate a food scraps recycling program at your multi-family property.

  • Get informed about food scraps recycling.

  • Measure interest in your community.

    • Share this survey (WORD) with residents to measure their overall interest in participating in a food scraps recycling collection program.
    • Present best practices and benefits to property management, the board and board members, residents and other individuals who may want to get involved to support the program. Contact the Multi-Family Recycling Program Manager, Ruth Carbonell, at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

  • Get approval and quotes.

  • Start, maintain and grow your food scraps recycling program.

    • Contact the Montgomery County, Maryland, Multi-Family Recycling Program Manager, Ruth Carbonell to set up a kick-off food scraps recycling training for your residents. Be sure to let us know how many units have expressed interest in participating at your multi-family property.
    • During this Kick-off meeting, DEP will provide in-unit food scraps recycling containers and certified compostable bags to program participants.
    • Survey participants to get their feedback on how the program is working. The survey will be provided by RRMD and tailored to your property.
    • RRMD will provide labels, posters, and other educational materials as needed. You can also order materials at our webstore.
    • Measure and share the successes of your program with your neighbors and community!
    • Add the total amount of food scraps recycled to your Annual Recycling Report to get credit for all your recycling efforts! 

Food scraps myths and facts

Person lifting the lid of a white ceramic container filled with food scraps. The container is on a wooden butcher countertop.

There are many benefits of food scraps recycling at your multi-family property.

Food scraps recycling diverts household waste from disposal

Food scraps make up a large portion of household waste. Composting diverts this material from disposal, reducing methane emissions and helping Montgomery County meet waste reduction goals.

Food scraps recycling saves money

By reducing the volume of trash, buildings may be able to cut down on trash pickups or avoid fees. Some waste haulers offer composting at a lower rate than trash disposal.

It builds community engagement

Food scraps recycling brings people together around a common purpose: reducing waste and protecting the environment.

Finished Compost Has Real Value

The compost created from food scraps can be used in landscaping, donated to community gardens, or returned to residents, closing the loop and enriching local soil.

Myths and facts of food scraps recycling.

Myth 1: Food scraps recycling attracts rodents and pests.
Fact 1: When done correctly, recycling food scraps is no more likely to attract pests than regular trash.
  • Use sealed bins with latching lids.
  • Empty bins regularly and keep the area clean.
Myth 2: Food scraps recycling is too complicated for apartment and condominium dwellers.
Fact 2: Montgomery County multi-family composting programs are designed to be simple and convenient.
  • Residents often just need to collect food scraps in a countertop bin and drop them in a shared container.
  • Use a private food scrap collector or drop-off locations.
Myth 3: All food scraps can go in the compost bin.
Fact 3: Not all food waste is compostable in every program.
  • Check with your hauler or collector for a list of what is acceptable in your program.
  • Commonly accepted: fruit & vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, bread, and grains.
Myth 4: Food scraps recycling is expensive and not worth the effort.
Fact 4: Food scraps recycling may reduce waste disposal costs and support sustainability goals.
  • Less trash can lead to potential collection fee savings.
  • Recycling food scraps helps meet local waste diversion goals.