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Compost Food Scraps (residential)

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1. Why are the food scrap carts locked and what is the lock code?

Contamination is a real challenge with any compost program because it is not possible or safe to have staff sort through piles of food scraps removing items that shouldn’t be there.  (Ew, that’s gross too!)  Plus, preventing contamination on the front end helps to ensure the final product is free of inorganic materials and safe to use.

That means, if any food scrap carts are contaminated with items that can’t be composted, the WHOLE CART WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR COMPOSTING and instead, must be disposed of in the garbage.  

The locks on the carts are one level of protection to help ensure that everyone who wishes to participate in the program is trained ahead of time to help prevent contamination so all the food scraps collected can indeed be composted and your efforts are not wasted.  

TO OBTAIN THE LOCK CODE

Please register for the program which will also take you through a short training on acceptable items, then the lock code will be provided. Register at https://forms.gle/M7RUJn2imuAwcXZ76.  

2. Should I use a compostable liner bag in my bin or pour food scraps into cart loosely?

This is your preference, either are accepted.  However, any liner bag used MUST BE certified compostable, from BPI.  (BPI=Biodegradable Products Institute) 

Note, product labels can be misleading.  Those bags labeled "biodegradable" or "environmentally friendly", etc. without the BPI certification ARE NOT ALLOWED.  

These will not break down fast enough to compost and will cause an entire cart to be landfilled.  Please beware of misleading products.  

3. Is there a difference between biodegradable and compostable?

Yes, they are different!  All compostable items are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable items are compostable! 

Biodegradable, by definition, has no time requirement, so a product could take 100 years to biodegrade.  Whereas compostable products follow strict ASTM Standards and have a short time limit in days, not years.

In addition, biodegradable materials can sometimes leave behind metal residue and other non-natural byproducts, whereas, compostable materials create compost (also called humus) that is 100% natural and safe to have in our environment.

Please make sure all items going into food scrap carts are certified BPI compostable and you will be following the strict ASTM standards properly.  Thank you.

4. I live in the region but not in the official City of Charleston limits, may I participate too?

Yes, in fall 2022 the program officially opened up to all residents living in the Charleston region thanks to new partners, Charleston County and Folly Beach!

5. Can I add yard debris to the food scrap carts?

Please, NO yard debris, the food scrap carts are for food scraps ONLY!  

Yard debris is already picked up curbside and sent to the compost facility.  For more information on curbside yard debris collection for the City of Charleston visit https://www.charleston-sc.gov/348/Trash-Yard-Waste-Collection or please contact your local jurisdiction.

But if they are both being composted, why can’t I mix them?  There are lots of reasons!

• To make compost, it is necessary to follow a recipe.  The recipe requires certain parts of green material, (like food scraps), certain parts of brown material, (like yard debris), and a certain amount of moisture, aeration and heat.  Following the recipe is really important for optimum decomposition and a healthy compost pile, and utilizing a variety of material sources is important too.  
• The Bees Ferry Compost facility is professionally managed and needs to obtain the raw ingredients separately in order to make compost.  The compost facility will then mix the raw ingredients together based on the ratios of the recipe.
• Plus, food waste breaks down at a different rate than yard waste, so the facility handles yard debris differently than food waste, which often needs to be broken down into smaller pieces.

6. Where can I report a maintenance concern or program issue?

Drop sites are hosted by various partners.  Each drop site is separately managed and maintained by their host.  Please report any issues or maintenance concerns to the drop site host.  Contact information for each host is listed on the Drop Site Map.

For questions, concerns or ideas for improvement on the program in general, please report those to the Charleston Composts Program Manager, Katie at mckaink@charleston-sc.gov or 724-3789.  

7. Why aren't there more drop sites?

This is not a permanent program, this is a pilot program that will last at least 6 months and may last up to one year. The pilot is grant funded, and we will be testing options as we go to help ensure we create the most successful program we can.

Should the pilot program be successful, we can then seek more funding for the program to continue and consider additional drop site locations.    

8. How do I store my food scraps?

You can store food scraps in almost any reusable container, ideally with a tight fitting lid.  The key is to make the bin easy to access while you cook, whether it’s on your countertop, in a nearby cabinet, or even on your patio.  You can also keep the scraps in the freezer or refrigerator to halt decomposition while softening the cell wall structure.   

Note, fruit flies can occur if your kitchen bin is left out without a lid. Any issues with pests or odor can often be easily remedied.

9. How frequently should I drop-off my food scraps?

We recommend you empty your kitchen bin weekly to help keep decomposition and associated odors out of your kitchen.  

You may choose to empty it more or less often- remember you can store food scraps in your freezer without any odors.

10. Will the program accept compostable bags and other BPI certified compostable containers?

Yes.  BPI certified compostable liner bags or BPI certified compostable to-go food containers are accepted in this program as we will be using a commercial compost facility.  

However, please note, these are generally not able to break down properly in a backyard compost pile.

11. Where will the food scraps go?

Food scraps the City collects will be taken to the Bees Ferry Compost Facility in West Ashley by a certified hauler.  

There, the scraps will be converted into compost and kept away from our landfills.

12. How often are the food-waste carts emptied?

The City’s food scrap carts will be emptied at least twice per week by our contracted hauler.  This may increase in frequency as food scrap collection and participation in the program increase.

13. What are the benefits of composting?

There are many benefits to composting!

• Cuts down on trash and expenses. Charlestonians throw away over 15,000 tons of food scraps each year, making up 1/4 of the city's collected garbage. Composting saves space and taxpayer money needed for disposal in landfills.
• Combats climate change. Food waste recycling will help meet 3 Charleston Climate Action Plan goals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landfills and protecting our air and water from pollution to fight climate change.
• Protects against flooding. Composting nourishes our soil for healthier parks and gardens and increases stormwater absorption capacity to help reduce flooding. 
• Saves plants and animals. Composting reduces the need for expensive and polluting chemical fertilizers, makes plants healthier, and can be implemented without harming wildlife or ecosystem health.

14. How do I sign-up and is there a cost?

It’s free!  To participate, please fill out the registration form at https://forms.gle/M7RUJn2imuAwcXZ76.  

Registration is required to participate for a couple reasons.  You will need a lock code to deposit your food scraps in our bins, we will provide this once you register and go through a 5-minute training.  We also need a way to mail you program information and notify you of project updates and potential changes as we test options, like if a cart moves locations.  

Please keep in mind this is a pilot project so the program is subject to change, especially after the first six months, we appreciate your flexibility on this as it will help ensure we have a successful program moving forward.  

15. How do I participate and when are drop sites open?

For specific hours of each site, please see the Drop Site Map.  Drop sites located in parks are open when the parks are open, which is daily, dawn to dusk.  

The most up to date drop site locations are listed on www.charleston-sc.gov/compost.  Please keep in mind, these are subject to change and will be updated on the website.

16. What items can I put in the food scrap carts?

Accepted food waste and organic material:

• Cooked meats and fish, including shells and bones
• Egg and dairy products
• Food preparation scraps and plate scrapings
• Fruits and vegetables
• Bread, dough, bakery items, pasta and grains
• Coffee grounds, coffee filters and tea bags
• Consumable liquids
• Wooden skewers and cocktail sticks
• Food-soiled paper, for example:
  • Kitchen paper towels
  • Paper napkins
  • Waxed cardboard and paper bags
• BPI certified Compostable serve ware

Not accepted in food waste deliveries:

• Raw meat or fish
• Butcher wastes, trimmings or renderings
• Oils, fats or grease
• Plastic of any type, for example:
  • Plastic bags or food wrap
  • Produce baskets or netting
  • Plastic or latex gloves
• Foil, wire or rubber bands
• Painted or treated wood, metal or glass
• Non consumable liquids

Remember, if you are in doubt, THROW IT OUT!

For questions about whether specific items are compostable that are not listed above, please reach Charleston County at (843) 720-7111 or email recycle@charlestoncounty.org.  

17. How is commercial composting different from backyard composting?

Industrial composting at Bees Ferry has a few major differences from backyard piles:

• Larger piles (windrows and aerated static piles)
• A more diverse assortment of acceptable materials (like meat, dairy, cheese, bioplastics and paper compostable wares, for example)
• The decomposition process is faster in general - so 30-45 days vs. 6-12 months
• The finished product is generally more robust because it has been well managed and aerated properly.

Image of Bees Ferry Compost Facility courtesy of Charleston County.

18. I already compost in my backyard, can I still drop off food scraps and participate in the program?

Yes, of course, you may participate in both at the same time.  The City’s program will take cooked meats, bones and dairy products, which are typically not appropriate for backyard piles, so feel free to bring those and any extra food scraps to the drop off sites.

19. I’d like to compost in my backyard, do you have any tips?

Composting in your backyard is easy and a great way to keep all the nutritious compost on your property so you can reap the benefits in your own gardens.  

For tips on how to compost in your backyard, visit: 

• https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/environmental-management/compost-at-home.php 
• scdhec.gov/compost 

Charleston County is hoping to give away new backyard compost bins in spring 2022.  

If you would like a new backyard bin, please check their website for more information as it becomes available.

20. Can businesses compost using this program?

Unfortunately, no.  This new program is for residents only, not businesses or organizations.  We are utilizing grant funding, which is earmarked to support residential composting only and our funding is extremely limited.

However, there are other ways businesses and organizations can compost!  

The City actually piloted a restaurant composting program back in 2016, with promising results which can be replicated.  

The results showed once organizations serviced by private garbage and recycling services understood how they are actually being charged for garbage and recycling services, many were able to reduce those fees and apply the difference to compost hauling fees.  

More information on the pilot and how businesses can compost is located here: https://charleston-sc.gov/2645/Business-Composting