Top Composting & Food Waste in Evanston, Illinois Ranked

For Evanston restaurants and food service businesses, managing organic waste is no longer just a disposal issue-it's a key component of sustainability and operational efficiency. The city supports commercial food scrap recycling through partnerships with local haulers, providing structured pathways to divert waste from landfills. By implementing a food waste diversion program, establishments can reduce their environmental footprint, potentially lower waste hauling costs, and align with Evanston's community-wide sustainability goals. Understanding the specific service options, container requirements, and material guidelines is the first step toward a successful program.

WasteNot Compost

chicago

WasteNot Compost provides food waste and composting services for homes, businesses, and events in Chicago, IL. Their service uses 100% electric vehicles to collect compostable waste, offering scheduled pickups with clean, sanitized receptacles. Members can also access a shop for compostable and sustainable products with zero emissions delivery. WasteNot Compost has been serving the community since at least 2015, focusing on reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions through convenient composting solutions.

4.9

197 Reviews

Block Bins

aurora

Block Bins provides food waste composting and recycling services for restaurants, homes, schools, and events in Aurora, IL. They offer locked shared bins to reduce contamination and clutter, with regular pickups and power washing to maintain cleanliness. Subscribers pay for a set volume of compost space, making it a flexible and community-friendly option. Block Bins has been serving customers for over five years and supports sustainable waste diversion through dedicated-stream recycling bins.

4.9

59 Reviews

Collective Resource Compost Cooperative

evanston

Collective Resource Compost Cooperative provides food waste composting services for restaurants and households in Evanston, IL. They offer customized container-swap programs with flexible options ranging from small 5-gallon buckets to large 32-gallon totes, supporting communal composting in multi-unit buildings and neighborhoods. The cooperative emphasizes easy composting with expert guidance and manages various waste streams, including food scraps and certified compostable products. They have exclusive franchise agreements in several municipalities and serve a broad area within Chicagoland. With over a decade of experience, Collective Resource promotes sustainable waste reduction and soil regeneration through community-focused composting programs.

4.9

56 Reviews

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Available Commercial Composting Services

Evanston restaurants have access to dedicated organic waste haulers through the city's recommended partners. These services are tailored for businesses, offering flexibility in container size and pickup frequency to match your establishment's volume.

• The Urban Canopy / Collective Resource Compost Cooperative: This merged entity is a primary provider. They offer containers ranging from 5-gallon buckets to 35-gallon rolling bins, which come with compostable liners ^{1 2}. Their services are designed for a variety of businesses, including restaurants, offices, and schools, and they can accommodate event composting ^{3 2}.
• WasteNot Compost: A newer partner in the area, WasteNot provides electric vehicle-powered collection, emphasizing a low-emission service model for local businesses ^{4 5}.

It is crucial to contact providers directly for a precise quote, as costs and schedules are customized. Service typically starts for a small volume, like a single 5-gallon bucket picked up weekly ^{1 2}.

Understanding Costs and Service Plans

Pricing for commercial food scrap collection is not one-size-fits-all; it depends on your chosen container size, the number of containers, and your required pickup frequency. Providers structure their rates accordingly.

For example, with The Urban Canopy/Collective Resource, weekly pickup of one 5-gallon bucket may cost around $29.50 per month, while service for a larger 32-gallon tote could be approximately $104 per month ². Many providers offer discounted rates for additional bins or higher-volume plans, which can be cost-effective for busier kitchens ². WasteNot Compost has been noted to offer plans starting around $14 per month, likely for very small-scale or introductory service ⁵. Always request a detailed quote based on your specific waste audit to understand the true cost.

What You Can and Cannot Compost

Adherence to accepted material lists is the most critical factor for a successful composting program. Contamination with non-compostable items can disrupt the processing facility's operations and may lead to service issues.

Generally Accepted Items:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Meat, fish, and bones
• Dairy products
• Bread, grains, and pasta
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea bags (without staples)
• Eggshells and nutshells
• CMA-W certified compostable products (see below) ^{1 4 6}.

Strictly Unacceptable Items:

• Plastic bags of any kind (even if labeled "biodegradable")
• Styrofoam
• Glass, metal, or plastic
• Non-certified "compostable" serviceware (plates, cups, utensils) ^{1 4 7}.

The Critical Role of CMA-W Certification

For businesses using compostable serviceware like plates, cups, and liners, certification is not a suggestion-it's a requirement. Evanston's commercial composting partners, like Collective Resource, only accept products certified to the CMA-W (Windrow Composting) standard ^{1 2}. This certification ensures the item will break down properly in a commercial windrow composting facility. Products labeled merely "biodegradable" or "compostable in commercial facilities" without the specific CMA-W logo are considered contamination and should be avoided. Always check with your supplier and your composting hauler to confirm product compliance.

Container and Storage Requirements

Proper on-site storage is essential for hygiene, pest control, and compliance, especially for downtown businesses. The City of Evanston's municipal code outlines specific requirements for commercial food waste containers ⁸.

Containers must be:

• Lidded and Rodent-Resistant: Designed to prevent access by pests.
• Impervious: Made of materials like metal or thick plastic that won't absorb liquids.
• Clearly Labeled: Display the business name visibly on the container.
• Securely Closed: Lids must be kept shut and, if applicable, locked except when actively adding waste ⁸.

These rules help maintain cleanliness in shared alleys and public spaces. Your composting service provider will supply appropriate bins that meet these standards.

Navigating Multi-Unit Buildings and Events

If your restaurant is located within a larger multi-unit building or complex, coordination is key. Before signing up for a service, check with your building owner, manager, or condominium board. Waste management contracts may be handled at the building level, or there may be specific rules about adding additional service bins in common storage areas ⁷.

For special events, catering, or farmers' markets, composting services are available. Providers like The Urban Canopy/Collective Resource offer event composting solutions ². Planning ahead to ensure proper collection containers and staff/volunteer education on what goes where can make your event both successful and sustainable.

Residential vs. Commercial Services

It's important to distinguish between residential and commercial programs. Evanston residents receive a city-provided 95-gallon cart for combined food and yard waste, with food scraps required to be in compostable bags ^{6 9}. This city cart service is for residential use only. Restaurants and other commercial entities must contract separately with a licensed commercial hauler, like the partners mentioned above, for food waste collection ¹. Using the residential service for business waste is not permitted.

Benefits Beyond Waste Diversion

Implementing a food scrap recycling program offers tangible benefits:

• Environmental Leadership: Demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that resonates with Evanston's environmentally conscious community.
• Potential Cost Savings: By diverting heavy, wet organic waste from your trash dumpster, you may reduce the size or pickup frequency of your garbage service.
• Waste Audit Insights: The process of setting up composting often reveals opportunities for broader waste reduction and improved operational efficiency.
• Community Alignment: Supports Evanston's Climate Action and Resilience Plan and broader regional sustainability goals ^{4 10}.

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