City explores food waste composting feasibility to enhance waste management services

Raleigh City Council is taking significant steps toward enhancing its waste management strategy, focusing on a feasibility study for food waste composting. During a work session on April 8, 2025, city officials discussed the urgent need to address the growing volume of food waste, which currently constitutes nearly 25% of the waste collected at the local landfill.

The landfill, which processes over 99,000 tons of waste annually, is projected to reach capacity within the next 20 years. By implementing a food waste composting program, the city could potentially divert 6% of this waste each year, extending the landfill's lifespan and providing both financial and environmental benefits.

Currently, Raleigh does not offer food waste collection services, and the existing processing facilities face operational challenges. The city is considering the yard waste center as a viable location for a new food waste processing facility, but significant upgrades and site improvements will be necessary. The council is exploring the possibility of initiating a pilot program to test food waste quantities and processing methods before committing to larger investments.

The discussion highlighted the importance of operational improvements in both collection and processing to effectively manage food waste. As the city moves forward, officials are seeking guidance from the council to inform the next steps in this critical initiative, which could greatly benefit residents and businesses alike.