PPNA Community Compost

Turning our food scraps into healthier communities — here's everything you need to know.

What Is the PPNA Community Compost Initiative?

PPNA has partnered with Veteran Compost since 2021 to provide our community with an easy way to keep food scraps out of the landfill and turn them into rich soil for healthier plants, farms, and green spaces.

Since then, the program has diverted approximately 162,000 pounds, or 81 tons, of food waste from landfills!

How It Works

Composting with PPNA is simple:

1. Collect your food scraps and compostable materials at home in any container you have on hand.

2. Bag it in a green, compostable bag (for example: Compost Bags, Amazon)

3. Drop it off at any time of the day or night! There are three compost bins located at the corner of E. Baltimore St. and N. Kenwood Ave (see the map below).

4. Food scraps are picked up weekly by Veteran Compost.

What Can I Compost?

Accepted:

• All food scraps (even if moldy or damaged). For example: fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, seafood shells, fried or frozen food, baking ingredients, coffee grounds, eggs, cheese, yogurt, grains, nuts, seeds.

• Tea bags, paper coffee filters, paper egg cartons.

• Used paper towels (unless blood or bleach is present).

• Plants, cut flowers, potting soil.

Not accepted:

• Anything that includes plastic, tape, foil, cardboard, glass, aluminum, styrofoam, etc.

Why It Matters

Composting is one of the most direct, low-effort ways to make our neighborhood more sustainable:

• Less greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. Food scraps sent to landfill generate methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. According to the EPA, food waste is the single largest category of material in landfills - it makes up about 24% of municipal solid waste sent to landfills, more than any other material type.

• Healthier soil, plants, animals, and people. Instead of sending our food scraps to the landfill to contribute to harmful emissions, we can turn them into compost. Using compost instead of synthetic nitrogen or fossil fuel intensive fertilizers increases soil nutrients, soil resiliency to heat and flooding, and prevents erosion and runoff - thus growing healthier, more nutritious food. All of this leads to enhanced food security and health, profitable farms, increased biodiversity, and more resilient ecosystems.

Support the Program

Previously, PPNA has been fortunate to be awarded grant funding to support the compost initiative one year at a time. Going forward, we want to ensure the financial sustainability of this resource through donations from the community. Your contribution helps us keep the program running and could allow us to expand drop-off access to more corners of the neighborhood.

Click here to give a tax-deductible donation — one-time or monthly: PPNA Compost Donation

PPNA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Get Involved

Want to support this work beyond a financial contribution? Here's how to help:

• Join the Sustainability Committee to help shape and grow the program. Reach out to info@pattersonparkneighbors.org to get involved.

• Spread the word — share this page with neighbors who want to start composting.

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a PPNA member to participate? No - anyone is welcome to drop off food scraps at our compost bins.

Is there a cost to drop off compost? No - it is free to drop off, however, a donation to support this effort is greatly appreciated.

Can I compost year-round? Yes - the compost bins are there every day of the year.

Who do I contact with questions? Reach out to the PPNA board at info@pattersonparkneighbors.org