City and county-run food scrap drop-off programs are almost always free for residents. Community nonprofit programs are often free as well. Private subscription services and some farmers market programs charge $10–30/month. If you're in a city with a municipal program, it's almost certainly free.
Free Programs: Municipal and County
Programs run by city or county governments — Chicago, Kansas City, DC, Minneapolis, Dane County, Baltimore — are uniformly free for residents. These programs are funded through municipal solid waste budgets, sustainability grants, or federal environmental funding.
Registration is sometimes required (a one-time online form) but the service itself costs nothing. There are no per-trip fees, no weight limits, and no subscriptions.
Free Programs: Community and Nonprofit
Many community-run programs — Big Reuse in NYC, LA Compost's hub network, New Earth Farm in St. Louis — operate free drop-offs funded by donations, city council grants, or private philanthropy. Some LA Compost hubs require free membership (signing a membership agreement); others are fully open.
Paid Programs: Private Subscription Services
Where municipal programs don't exist, private subscription composting services fill the gap. These typically charge:
- $10–20/month for drop-off access (you visit a shared bin; company provides the infrastructure)
- $20–35/month for pickup service (they collect from your door on a schedule)
- Some services include a compost return (finished compost back to you in spring)
Examples: Farmer Pirates in Buffalo ($10/month for drop-off access), Compost for Life Miami ($9.99/month for hub access), regional services in cities without municipal programs.
Paid Programs: Farmers Market
Some farmers market food scrap programs are free; others charge a small seasonal membership fee. Check with your local market directly.