Food Scraps Composting Program

The City of Naperville Food Scraps Composting Program is from June 2 to Aug. 29, 2025, offering residents a free and convenient way to dispose of food scraps. This program helps divert organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and supporting a more sustainable community. By participating, residents can contribute to Naperville’s environmental goals and help the program’s long-term success.

The program is open to all Naperville residents at no charge. Yard waste, including grass clippings, is NOT accepted in the Food Scraps Composting Program because it can skew the data collection results and affect the program’s evaluation. Residents with Groot’s paid yard waste cart service can compost food scraps and yard waste together in those carts, but this program provides an accessible option for those who do not subscribe or seek additional composting opportunities.

Locations, Days, and Hours

• Drop off Location 1 - CNG Station: 1720 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville
• Drop off Location 2 - City-Owned Parking Lot: 91st Street and Wolf’s Crossing Road
• Days and Hours: 24 hours per day, seven days per week
• No appointment is necessary, and participation is free

Procedures

• Use your own container. Bring food scraps in a reusable, lidded container (e.g., a 5-gallon bucket). Containers should be clean and sturdy to prevent leaks. 
• Empty contents into bins. At the drop-off site, empty your food scraps into the designated compost bins. Do not place containers or bags in the bins.
• Take your container home. Containers must be removed after emptying to keep the site clean and operational. 
• Follow the guidelines. Only bring accepted food scraps (see below). No yard waste, including grass clippings, is to be placed in the compost bins.
• Expect monitoring and frequent emptying. Groot Industries will regularly monitor and empty the bins.

Please help keep the program successful by following these steps and adhering to the list of accepted items.

 Accepted Items

• Fruits and vegetables (including peels, cores, and rinds)
• Pasta, bread, crackers, and cereals 
• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Small amounts of meat, fish, and dairy (e.g., cheese, yogurt) 
• Cooked foods without excessive oils or sauces

All items must be free of plastic, metal, or other non-food materials.

Items NOT Accepted

• Yard waste (e.g., grass clippings, leaves, branches)
• Pet waste or litter
• Plastic bags, wrappers, or containers
• "Compostable" products such as bags, containers, and utensils
• Tea bags and coffee filters
• Foil, glass, or metal
• Diapers or sanitary products
• Cooking oils or grease
• Non-food items (e.g., paper, cardboard, textiles)
• Large amounts of meat or oily foods
• Any hazardous materials (e.g., chemicals, batteries)

Important: Adding non-accepted items, especially grass clippings, can skew the collection data and jeopardize the future of the program. Please review the list carefully.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is composting, and what are the benefits? 
Answer: Composting is an oxygen-driven process that converts food scraps into “compost,” a material used as soil nutrient. In landfills, food scraps emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, so composting helps divert material from landfill and reduce emissions. The nutrients in the food scraps benefit the soil, creating a cycle of reciprocity.

What happens to my food scraps after dropping them off? 
Answer: The scraps collected at the designated drop off sites will go through the compost process and be applied to agricultural fields to enrich soil and support Midwest farms. 

Question: Why are compostable products not accepted? 
Answer: Compostable products, such as bags or containers, are compostable in industrial composting facilities. Because Naperville does not send its compost to an industrial facility, we are unable to process these materials and ask that they be kept out of the drop offs. 

Question: Is there a cost to residents? 
Answer: There is no cost to residents to utilize the Food Scraps Composting Program. This is an entirely free program intended to improve sustainability in Naperville!

Question: Is this a permanent program? 
Answer: This is a three-month program, from June 2 to Aug. 29, and results will be analyzed for consideration of program extension.

Want to compost more than food scraps? Purchase a yard waste cart. Learn more at the yard waste page.

Drop Off Locations

Drop off Location 1: CNG Station: 1720 W. Jefferson Ave.

Layout: The composting bins at the CNG Station are located off Jefferson Ave. From Jefferson Ave., turn into the entrance, proceed to the designated compost bins area (marked by a red rectangle on the map), and exit back onto Jefferson Ave. The map shows a one-way traffic loop with entry and exit from Jefferson Ave. This location is near the Naperville Auto Test Track.

Drop off Location 2: City-Owned Parking Lot: 91st Street and Wolf’s Crossing Road.

Layout: The composting bins at the 91st Street and Wolf's Crossing Road location are located in a city-owned parking lot. The entrance to the drop off area is from 91st Street. Residents will enter, proceed to the compost bins (marked by a red rectangle), navigate around a temporary barrier (indicated by a black outline on the map), and then exit back onto 91st Street. The map shows a clear one-way traffic flow within the drop off area.

For more information, visit Naperville’s Environmental Sustainability webpage to learn more about the city’s sustainable approaches to providing local government services.