Madison's Food Scrap Recycling Programs Divert Tons of Waste

Eleven compost drop-off sites at local farmers' markets and around the city help reduce environmental impact.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:00pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of a farmers' market, with blurred produce, reusable bags, and compost bins visible in soft, warm tones, conceptually representing the city's efforts to divert food waste from landfills.Madison's food scrap recycling programs turn organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, reducing the city's environmental impact.Madison Today

Madison, Wisconsin has implemented a robust food scrap recycling program, with 11 free drop-off locations around the city and at local farmers' markets. The program, run by Dane County's Department of Waste and Renewables and the nonprofit Sustain Dane, has diverted tens of thousands of pounds of food waste from landfills, where it would decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In 2025, the Sustain Dane program alone collected over 40,000 pounds of food scraps, and the county's program collected nearly 96,000 pounds.

Why it matters

Food waste accounts for around 20% of Wisconsin's landfills, and when buried under other trash, it decomposes anaerobically, creating methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By providing convenient drop-off locations for residents to recycle their food scraps, Madison is able to divert this organic material from landfills and turn it into nutrient-rich compost, closing the loop on food production and reducing the city's environmental impact.

The details

The food scrap drop-off program in Madison is a collaboration between Dane County's Department of Waste and Renewables and the nonprofit Sustain Dane. There are 11 free drop-off locations around the city, including at farmers' markets, parks, and other public facilities. The collected food scraps are transported to a composting facility operated by Purple Cow Organics. The program accepts a wide range of food waste, including raw fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more, but excludes items like meat, dairy, and liquids that could cause contamination.

  • In 2025, Sustain Dane's program diverted 40,417 pounds of food waste from landfills.
  • In 2026, Sustain Dane has set a goal to collect 48,000 pounds of food scraps.
  • Since January 2026, Dane County's program has already collected 46,950 pounds of food waste, nearly half of the previous year's total.

The players

John Welsh

Director of the Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables, who helps oversee the resident food scrap drop-off program.

Claire Oleksiak

Executive director of Sustain Dane, the nonprofit that established the farmers' market food scrap drop-off sites.

Purple Cow Organics

The composting facility that processes the food scraps collected through the Madison programs.

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What they’re saying

“Rather than creating an environmental liability, it's creating soil management [by] returning those nutrients back into the system so that they can be used to grow more food.”

— John Welsh, Director, Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables

“Unlike other drop-off options, the market setting allows us to connect with residents, answer questions and provide hands-on education about composting and avoiding contamination. That personal interaction has been a big part of the program's success.”

— Claire Oleksiak, Executive Director, Sustain Dane

What’s next

Dane County and Sustain Dane plan to continue expanding their food scrap recycling programs, with the goal of further reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills and increasing the production of nutrient-rich compost for local use.

The takeaway

Madison's innovative food scrap recycling programs, with convenient drop-off locations and a focus on education, demonstrate how cities can take meaningful steps to address the environmental impact of food waste and create a more sustainable local food system.