Collect, Compost + Cultivate

By Ryan Walter, co-founder, info@thecompostcrew.com

In May 2011, Brian Flores, my long-time friend and fellow Walt Whitman HS graduate, and I launched The Compost Crew (TCC) with the core objective of increasing the sustainability of our local food system by closing the food cycle and keeping valuable nutrients in our local soil, while simultaneously reducing our overall carbon footprint.

If desired, customers can get high-grade food waste compost that they helped make absolutely free every 6 months. 

The Compost Crew offers simple, clean, convenient collection of compostables. Similar to a recycling service, we collect food waste and other organic material from the local community to be composted and reused. For only $32/month or a dollar a day, crewmembers (customers) receive a 5- or 12-gallon ($4/month extra) odor-sealed bin, weekly pick up, and a new compostable liner every week along with bin cleaning.

Crewmembers enjoy the peace of mind of reducing their carbon footprint, keeping scarce resources in our food system, and supporting a small local business. The service is month to month with no long-term commitment, and you can sign up and get more information at compostcrew.com/signup. Use the code: "GLOVERCOMPOSTS" for an exclusive $10 off your first month of service.

Compost Crew co-founder Brian Flores performs the rounds on a lovely spring morning, collecting compost, cleaning the bin, and bringing smiles to Compost Crew customers.

Over the past five years, TCC has grown to serve thousands of homes in the DC metro area and Baltimore and has collected more than one million pounds of food waste. We’ve composted for such high-profile clients as Chipotle, Montgomery County Public Schools, The Tower Companies, The Blairs, The City of Takoma Park, The Town of Chevy Chase, and The Town of Somerset. And we’ve been featured in the Washington Post, New York Times, Bethesda Gazette, and other local publications. The Compost Crew was recently recognized by Bethesda Magazine as the number one business offering a green service in Bethesda. But perhaps most importantly, in an ongoing customer survey, 90% of TCC customers say they are “Very Pleased” with the service and 10% say they are “Pleased”, leaving not a one negative review!

Through all of our success, we’ve not forgotten our core values. We continue to strive to be more effective and efficient by developing Customer Relationship Management software and employing route optimization algorithms. Our GPS solution tracks driver behavior and maintenance alerts from their vehicles to ensure the utmost level of safety and reliability.

The Compost Crew team attends the 2015 Green Festival at the DC Convention Center.

In a continual effort to give back to the community and especially those that need support the most, TCC has pledged to contribute 3% of our profits to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Keep America Beautiful, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

It is TCC’s hope that we can continue our strong win-win partnership with the DC metro area community. Check out our website and stop by our stand at the Glover Park-Burleith Farmers Market if you have questions.