Fayetteville has added three new food waste drop-off bins with keypad access, expanding its public compost program and introducing a new tool to reduce contamination and increase access.
The bins, now available at the Fayetteville Public Library, Bryce Davis Park and Veterans Memorial Park, allow residents to request a unique access code by scanning a QR code or calling a number posted on the bin.
Before receiving the code, users are asked to confirm they have removed any plastic, packaging or food stickers. Clear signage in English and Spanish helps guide correct use. The bins are designed to accept only food and BPI-certified compostable items, all of which are eventually turned into nutrient-rich compost.
The city now offers eight food waste drop-off sites, available to residents around the clock.
The three new bins were purchased through a $10,000 grant from Boston Mountain Solid Waste District. Each bin cost just over $2,100 to install. If the pilot is successful, Fayetteville will consider expanding the keypad feature to additional locations.
Composting is a key part of Fayetteville’s waste diversion strategy. Food waste makes up nearly 20% of the city’s total landfill contributions. Unlike materials processed at composting facilities, food waste sent to landfills breaks down without oxygen and releases methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. By expanding food waste composting, the city is making progress toward its goal of diverting at least 40% of all landfill waste.
The new bins also support broader goals outlined in the Northwest Arkansas Recycling Roadmap. While the roadmap largely focuses on traditional curbside recycling and infrastructure upgrades, it notes that organic waste expansion is a critical step toward building a resilient and modern waste system. Future improvements to processing infrastructure may include organics handling, offering even more opportunities to reduce landfill pressure.
Fayetteville’s compost program is one example of how local innovation can contribute to regional sustainability. As the region’s population grows and continues to rely on a single landfill, projects like Fayetteville’s efforts to capture more food waste helps meet environmental goals and move Northwest Arkansas closer to a circular economy.
To find a drop-off location or learn more about what can be composted, visit www.fayetteville-ar.gov/foodwaste.
