Written by Kayleigh Brown, Farmers Market Assistant

National Composting Day is observed annually on May 29, making this week the perfect time to shine a spotlight on our farmers market composting program and the big impact your small food scraps can have on our community. 

Did you know that your local farmers market is also a convenient compost collection spot? At all 10 Park Authority Farmers Markets, anyone can drop off their food scraps for composting!

This program makes it easier for you to reduce waste and combat climate change through composting, no matter your set up at home.

What is composting?

Composting is the natural process that occurs when organic waste breaks down and becomes a nutrient rich soil amendment called compost. This compost is an organic mixture full of nutrients that can be added to soil to feed new plants. The cycle makes previous organic waste into new plants, fruits, and vegetables!

How did composting start at the Fairfax County Farmers Markets?

Before there was compost collection at the Farmers Markets, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Service tested their pilot program with drop-off locations at the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill starting in 2020. The next year, in 2021, they decided to test the program at a few of the Farmers Markets. The very first Farmers Markets to collect compost were the Mount Vernon, Herndon, Kingstowne, and Burke Markets. 

Then, in 2023, the Office of Environmental Energy Coordination helped fund the Park Authority to expand the compost collection program to all 10 of their Farmers Markets! Since then, over 438,000lbs of food scraps have been collected (more than the weight of 30 elephants!). By providing the compost collection program across Fairfax County, the Farmers Markets promote sustainable practices that reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while creating richer soil for agriculture and landscaping.

How can I participate?

Luckily, making a significant difference for the environment doesn’t have to cost much time, money, or energy. Composting at the farmers markets is easy!

1.    Collect your food scraps at home in whatever container works best for you! No need to bag them either.

2.    Bring your food scraps to your favorite Farmers Market and find the Compost tent.

  
3.    Drop your food scraps in their bins. You’re done!
 

What kinds of things can you compost?

With our composting program, a wide variety of organic waste can be composted instead of being trashed. This includes fruit, vegetable scraps, leftovers, eggshells, meat and bones*, coffee grounds, food soiled paper towels and more! *It is important to note that meat and bones are not recommended at other composting sites including backyard piles as it can attract animals.

Review what can and can’t be composted before you toss everything in the trash!

How else does composting benefit me?

Composting offers a wide range of personal, environmental, and community benefits, including:

• Reduce waste and trash: People who regularly collect their organic waste for compost have noticed a difference in the amount of trash that they throw away. Seeing the immediate reduction in waste in your own home is exciting because you can see how you’re already helping the environment.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: By not throwing organic material in the trash, composting reduces the amount of greenhouse gases that would have been created. Instead, our community’s carbon footprint becomes that much smaller.
• Create healthier soil, and healthier plants: Enriched and nutrient-dense soil made from compost helps new plants grow strong and healthy, adding nutrients to produce and even reducing the need for pesticides. This leads to better fruits and vegetables in agricultural settings and can also be used for healthier landscaping practices.
• Convenient and low-cost: With 10 farmers markets across the county, many people have found it easier to participate in composting at their local market than using the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill regularly. Also, it is more convenient and accessible to drop off food scraps than it is to maintain a personal compost bin at home. Anyone who wants to contribute can do so.
• Be a part of the community: Many of those who drop off their food scraps at the market enjoy being a part of a shared effort. Working towards a common sustainability goal brings communities together. Not only do the Farmers Markets provide a great space to meet your neighbors, but working together to reduce food waste by composting creates a shared value among the community.

Kayleigh Brown has worked as the Park Authority's Farmers Market Assistant since June of 2025. She helps develop the Farmers Markets' environmental initiatives which include composting, going plastic-free, and campaigning for reusables.

Climate Matters is the blog of Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, where we share stories, insights and information related to climate change and environmental sustainability. Posts are written by knowledgeable and passionate OEEC staff members and guest authors. To read all blog posts, visit Climate Matters.