Key Takeaways
- Customer Base Doubled: Compost Crew Inc. more than doubled its service reach in Greater Washington, D.C., in 2023, becoming the region’s largest food scrap recycling company.
- Record Recycling Totals: The company recycled over twenty million pounds of food scraps in 2023, its highest annual total.
- Municipal Program Selections: Compost Crew was chosen through competitive bids for curbside composting programs in the District of Columbia and the City of Alexandria, significantly contributing to waste diversion.
- Facility Expansion: Opening a new Compost Outpost® in partnership with Fairfax County and initiating two more outposts with USDA grant funding.
- Farm Feast Compost Brand Launch: Compost Crew introduced its brand of finished compost, expanding its product line.
- Support from Maryland Law: A Maryland law requiring large food waste generators to divert their scraps contributed to the company’s commercial sector growth.
- Educational and Community Engagement: Through its Composting Fellowship Program and participation in community events, Compost Crew emphasizes the importance of composting.
Compost Crew Inc., a Benefit Corporation, achieved significant growth in Greater Washington, D.C., in 2023, doubling its customer base and recycling over twenty million pounds of food scraps, marking its position as the Mid-Atlantic’s leading food scrap recycling company.
Municipal Partnerships and Programs
The company’s growth was notably spurred by its selection as the contractor for two municipal curbside composting programs. “The DC Curbside Composting Pilot Program represents a significant step towards…a healthier environment for all,” remarked Timothy Spriggs, Director of the DC Department of Public Works, on the District of Columbia’s initiative that diverted nearly 300 tons of food scraps since its inception in September 2023. Similarly, the City of Alexandria’s program also saw robust participation, with over 1,100 residents contributing to over 115 tons of organic material diversion from landfills.
Expanding Compost Processing and Product Offerings
Compost Crew’s operational growth includes the opening of a new Compost Outpost® and the start of construction on two more sites funded by USDA grants. The launch of the Farm Feast compost brand represents an expansion into product sales, offering high-quality compost derived from local food scraps.
Impact of Maryland Legislation
The enactment of a Maryland law at the start of 2023 mandating large food waste generators to divert their scraps played a significant role in the growth of Compost Crew’s commercial business. “Working with Compost Crew has allowed us to easily streamline that process at our largest production facility in Baltimore,” said Cody Ferrantino, sustainability and impact program manager at Home Chef, highlighting the partnership’s environmental benefits.
Community Engagement and Sustainability Efforts
Compost Crew’s commitment extends to educating the public and engaging with the community through donations, a Composting Fellowship Program, and participation in over a hundred community events and farmers markets. CEO Ben Parry expressed gratitude for the community’s support: “We remain ever grateful for the increasing number of residents, businesses, governments, and community leaders joining the mission to eliminate food waste.”
The expansion of Compost Crew Inc. in 2023 not only signifies its business growth and underscores its pivotal role in promoting sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship in Greater Washington, D.C.
