Top: Food scraps drop-off bin located at a bus stop near Arlington Mill Community Center and in front of the Arlington Mill Residences apartment building. Photo by Kiara Candelaria Nieves, Arlington County, Virginia

The Arlington County (VA) Solid Waste Bureau launched a pilot program in July 2024 to increase multi-family housing access to food scraps collection. Fourteen food scrap collection “smart” bins are located across parts of Arlington with a high concentration of multi-family buildings. Overall, multi-family units comprise approximately 70% of housing in the county. To participate, households have to download the Bigbelly Smart Compost app, which shows the locations of the bins, their availability, and what items are accepted. An unlock button appears once the individual is within reach of the bin. Tapping the button unlocks the bin.

To participate, households have to download the Bigbelly Smart Compost app. An unlock button appears as the resident is within reach of the bin.

All food scraps and food-soiled paper are accepted. As of late September, the bins had been opened more than 4,000 times by around 800 unique program participants. Average weekly collection rates from the bins have totaled 1,000 pounds of food scraps and food-soiled paper since July 8, 2024, leading to more than 4,000 pounds/month collected on average, according to data from the Solid Waste Bureau. The pilot will enable the county to assess collection viability, container performance, participation, and the most effective outreach and education tools. Current outreach includes posters at multi-family properties, a social media campaign, street signs, signage on buses and at bus stops, and electronic message boards on the roof of cabs. The pilot will run through July 2025.

Single-family households have had commingled curbside collection of yard trimmings and food scraps since 2021. About 33,000 households are eligible for the service.