Title
Subscription Curbside Compost Service
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND:
Purpose: To present a proposed non-exclusive municipal partnership with CompostNow to launch a town-wide, subscription-based curbside composting service.
Background: To achieve the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan goal of reducing community greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030, the Town must aggressively target all emission sources, including solid waste emissions. While Carrboro’s public food waste drop-off sites are heavily utilized, curbside collection achieves significantly higher waste diversion and carbon reduction. However, current municipal and county budget constraints prevent public funding for a municipal curbside composting service.
This partnership would make Carrboro the first North Carolina community to offer a discounted subscription curbside composting service and would do so at no cost to the Town. Raleigh-based CompostNow, an experienced operator with over 15 years in business, nearly 100 full-time staff, and over 375 five-star reviews on Google, would fully manage operations. They would be responsible for customer service, billing, bin and bag distribution, curbside collection of compostables and transportation to a permitted composting facility. They would also track and report participation, diversion metrics and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Town will support the service by collaborating on program outreach, education, and progress reporting, complementing existing Green Neighborhood Grants and Orange County’s public food waste drop-off sites.
Participation in the program will be voluntary and exclusively available to Carrboro residents, as well as community members within the annexed portion of the Town of Chapel Hill who receive solid waste collection services from the Town of Carrboro. While CompostNow’s standard doorstep collection normally costs $39 per month, Carrboro residents may opt-in to the curbside service at a 50% discounted rate of $19 per month (rate-locked for 3 years, plus a $19 start-up fee). Doorstep service will be provided to residents with mobility limitations at the $19/month discounted rate.
end
Department
DEPARTMENT: Climate Action Department
end
Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL AND STAFF IMPACT:
Financial Impact There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this item. Achieves measurable emissions reductions and advances the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan without requiring municipal capital investment, staffing overhead, or revenue guarantees. Diverting heavy organic waste directly lowers Town landfill tipping fees and reduces vehicle fuel consumption.
Staff & Operational Impact Existing staff capacity will be leveraged to support initial public outreach and marketing for the service launch. Ongoing operational demands on Town staff are expected to remain minimal, as CompostNow manages day-to-day customer service and educational assets. CompostNow’s turnkey educational resources save Town staff time and prevent contamination.
end
Community Impact
COMMUNITY IMPACT: A full town-wide service ensures equitable access for all Carrboro residents. Curbside collection eliminates physical and transportation barriers for seniors, residents with mobility limitations, and households without personal vehicles. For those with specific mobility needs, discounted doorstep pickup will remain available, modeled after the town’s backdoor trash collection service.
To keep composting accessible for residents who cannot afford the $19/month fee, Carrboro will continue offering free public drop-off sites (Town Hall, Jones Ferry Road, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park), Green Neighborhood Grant drop-off stations, and discounted backyard compost bins through Orange County Solid Waste. Additionally, staff are exploring options to fund a free trial period for low-to-moderate-income households through the Green Neighborhood Grant.
end
Climate Impact
CLIMATE IMPACT: This service will divert more methane-producing organic food scraps from regional landfills, directly supporting Carrboro’s goal to reduce community carbon emissions 80% by 2030. It will reduce municipal waste tonnage, helping extend regional landfill lifespans and lowering municipal tipping fees and fleet fuel consumption. Professional educational resources and clear bin labeling lower contamination rates.
Collected organic waste is converted into nutrient-rich soil amendments that support regional farms, community gardens, and soil health.
end