Compost Dropoff is Free for Co-op Shoppers

Thank you for your support and interest in composting. Here are some details on our drop-off program:

Please keep the composting area clean.

  • Kitchen scraps only* –  Click here for the list of what you can & can’t put in our bins.
  • Limited to 3 gal/ week/ household (we are happy to refer you to the best option for larger quantities)
  • Free for Urban Greens members and anyone receiving SNAP benefits.
  • Fun idea: Create your own spreadsheet to track how much you’re saving from the landfill!
  • Lastly, the bins are in front of the store all day everyday. If you need assistance, please ask a staff member for help.

*please remove plastic stickers from produce and staples from tea bags

You may use unbleached paper bags to drop off or empty your compost from a re-usable plastic bag. Here is an informative link on compostable containers.

Some of the benefits of composting and finished compost include:

  • Reduces Waste: 45 – 55% of the waste stream is organic matter.
  • Great for Plants, Lawns, and Gardens: Improves soil porosity, drainage, aeration, moisture retention even in sandy soils. Helps balance the pH.
  • Can extend growing season by moderating soil temperature.
  • Provides extra nutrients over a wide time window. Buffer against the absorption of chemicals.
  • Promotes healthy root zones and suppresses diseases associated with certain fungi. “Worm tea” can be used as a mild weed killer.
  • Conserves resources: Water – by soaking up water and slowly releasing (up to ten times its weight in water). Applied thickly as a top layer has benefits of mulch.
  • Conserves energy and fuel – by keeping material out of the landfill and from being transported. These are some of the heaviest wastes.
  • Saves You Money: You will save on your trash tax (Block Island pays by weight!). No more buying fertilizer.
  • Land reclamation projects, Erosion control, stormwater management.
  • Composting is fun and educational!

Fun facts: Hair and fur are compostable. Dryer lint is debatable due to plastics in our clothing.

Thanks to Mayor Elorza and the City of Providence for passing their first sustainability legislation, banning plastic bags! We feel very supported in our decision to use paper bags in the store since the opening. The Urban Greens Cooperative Market urges to continue its action beyond plastic bags!

Bring your own bags on your next shopping trip – we have non-woven poly bags on the market and canvas bags for sale. For your bulk purchases, we have wax bags to help you alleviate the use of plastic bags alone. (When available, our produce bags are made from 100% recycled materials. We also have small paper bags if you prefer!)

¡Gracias al Alcalde Elorza y la ciudad de Providence por aprobar su primera legislación sobre sostenibilidad, prohibiendo las bolsas plásticas! Nos sentimos muy apoyados en nuestra decisión de usar bolsas de papel en la tienda desde la apertura. ¡El mercado cooperativo de Urban Greens urge continuar su acción más allá de las bolsas de plástico!

Lleve sus propias bolsas en su próximo viaje de compras – tenemos bolsas de poliéster no tejidas en el mercado y bolsas de lona en venta. Para sus compras a granel, tenemos bolsas de cera para ayudarle a aliviar el solo uso de bolsas plásticas. (Cuando están disponibles, nuestras bolsas de productos están hechas de materiales cien por cien reciclados. ¡También tenemos bolsas de papel pequeñas si lo prefieres!)