I signed up in April but haven’t heard anything. Does that mean I wasn’t selected/ won’t be in the program? Thanks.

Unfortunately this program is only available for folks who live in single family homes.

We signed up for the pilot program -- if we get selected, it will mean we cancel our contract with an existing private firm that picks up our compost now, but municipal composing would be great.

As for rodents, the compost collection bins tend to lock better than the standard-issue D.C. trash cans (which don't lock at all), and so if you're already throwing food waste out in your garbage, you're just moving it into a container that's harder for animals to get into. Raccoons, certainly, have no trouble making their way into trash cans...

To the question about rodents or bugs, we kept food waste in a large tupperware and a compost bucket on the kitchen counter and had zero issues (did not include any meat or products). We used a charcoal filter and coffee grounds to minimize any smell, but you can also stick it is the freezer if that is a concern.

Once the program launches it will be awesome not to have to cart the food waste to a drop off site each week.

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't this attract rodents?

No more so than if people put food waste in their trash, which most people do.

This is great to hear, OP!

Wouldn't this attract rodents?

Dc just launched a free food waste collection program. You can register for the curbside composting program beginning today. If selected, you will receive a food waste bin which will be picked up along with your regular trash collection.

I registered this morning at zerowaste.dc.gov.

The program is open to first 1500 registrants per ward.