Food Scraps Compost Drop-Off

The City of Rockville offers residents two food scraps drop-off sites to make composting easy, keep valuable materials out of landfills, and reduce excessive greenhouse gas emissions. The sites are accessible 24/7 and the service is free of charge.  

How to Use the Food Scraps Drop-Off

  1. Place food scraps in a container (empty coffee containers with sealing lids are great for this). Be sure to separate out any plastic or other trash.
  2. Bring your full container and empty it into the designated bins at one of the Food Scraps Drop-Off sites below.
  3. Rinse your container and repeat!

The food scraps will be picked up weekly by a commercial contractor and delivered to the Prince George’s County Organic Compost Facility. 

Still have questions? Contact:

Food Scraps Drop-Off Program

Drop-off Sites

Maintenance Facility

14625 Rothgeb Drive

Follow signs to take the slight right into the Maintenance Facility and make the first left into the upper parking lot. The drop off is located toward the end of the parking lot on the right.

View the Map

A map showing the drop off location in the public parking lot of the Maintenance Facility

Rockville Senior Center 

1150 Carnation Drive

Follow signs to the back parking lot. The drop-off is located in the back left corner of the parking lot.

View the Map

A map showing the drop off location in the back parking lot of the Rockville Senior Center

What Food Scraps Can I Drop-Off?

Remember, if you are in doubt, THROW IT OUT!

YES!

  • Fruits, vegetables
  • Coffee grounds, tea leaves, tea bags
  • Dry goods (bread, pasta, nuts, rice, grains)
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs, eggshells
  • Meat, fish, poultry & bones (cooked)
  • Food soiled paper products (napkins, paper towels, teabags, coffee filters, pizza boxes)
  • BPI certified compostable paper and plastic cups, plates, bowls, utensils, etc.
  • House plant trimming and flowers
  • Hair clippings

NO!

  • Plastic or Styrofoam products of any kind
  • Non-compostable plastic bags, wrappers, or film *
  • Yard/garden waste (leaves, branches, etc.)
  • Pet waste or cat litter
  • Diapers, sanitary products, baby wipes
  • Oyster or clam shells
  • Candles, synthetic corks and gum
  • Grease, fats, oils
  • Ash from wood or charcoal
  • Dental floss, q-tips, dryer lint sheets
  • Dead animals

*Traditional plastic bags are not accepted.

You may use a liner in your kitchen bin or empty contents loosely into the collection bins. However,  any bags placed in the collection bins must be labeled as either “home compostable” or “commercially/industrially compostable” according to these guidelines from the composting facility. Bags that are labeled only as plant-based or biodegradable are not accepted. Paper yard trim, paper lunch or paper grocery bags are accepted.

Commercial food scraps are not accepted. Businesses should contact a local waste hauler who provides this service.

Resources

Free Kitchen Countertop Pails

Kitchen Countertop Pail for Food Scraps