City Expands Local Composting Options

Post Date:12/06/2025 10:51 AM

The City has announced updates to its composting program designed to expand service options, increase community participation, and significantly reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills.

Under the new structure, the City will no longer rely on a single exclusive composting provider. Instead, it has established partnerships with three local organizations that demonstrate high-quality operations and alignment with Evanston’s environmental goals. Community members and businesses are encouraged to connect directly with these providers for service details, pricing, and enrollment options.

Reducing food waste is an important part of the City’s climate action strategy. Food discarded in landfills is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the waste stream, and expanding access to convenient composting services offers residents and businesses a simple, high-impact way to help reduce emissions.

Local Composting Service Partners

The Urban Canopy/Compost Club

The Urban Canopy and Collective Resource Compost have merged, combining their community-rooted composting operations into an enhanced container-swap service. Residential and commercial customers can access convenient collection options, including 5-gallon buckets or 35-gallon rolling bins, each lined with compostable bags.

The Urban Canopy/Compost Club also supports event composting and can provide staffing and discounted compostable serviceware. Current Evanston customers include households, multi-unit buildings, restaurants, offices, schools, and faith communities. Learn more and sign up.

WasteNot Compost

WasteNot, a Chicago-based composting and specialty recycling company, now offers its fully electric-vehicle-powered services to Evanston. WasteNot provides simple, reliable composting options for homes, businesses, events, and communities, with plans starting at $14 per month.

Customers can also opt into add-on specialty recycling services for materials such as glass, soft plastics, and textiles. Learn more and sign up. 

Block Bins

Block Bins expands composting access through an easy curbside model that lets community members request a bin for their home, business, or event. Focused on waste diversion and neighborhood cleanliness, Block Bins partners with Green Era Campus and Urban Growers Collective to transform collected food scraps into renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost that supports soil health in Chicago. Learn more and sign up. 

For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/waste. Community members may also call 847-448-4311, or simply dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston.