By Susan Messer

Keeping food waste out of landfills via composting is a perfect example of how the circular economy can work. Following is a list of Chicagoland composting resources recommended by Jonathan Pereira of Plant Chicago. For those outside of Illinois, search for similar resources in your area to get involved.

Many municipalities, including Oak Park, have food-scrap composting programs. Look here to find information on other municipalities that do: https://illinoiscomposts.org/resources/6bg-municipalities-that-compost/
Urban Canopy has an indoor and outdoor farm on the south side of Chicago. Their goals are to make healthy produce accessible to all, reduce the miles fresh food travels, keep food waste out of landfills, and create and maintain local jobs.
Healthy Soil Compost, on Chicago’s north side, has developed a community-connected solution to food waste and seasonal organic waste items that would otherwise go to a landfill by recycling these materials back into nutrient-rich, living compost for feeding local gardens/farms/and soils.
Collective Resource Compost in Evanston began when Erlene Howard, an Evanston resident, became interested in composting but couldn't find a good place to do it in her condo environment. She was inspired to start a food scrap recycling service when she realized that if composting were made more convenient, more people would do it.
The Illinois Food Scrap Coalition (IFSC) is a not-for-profit organization advancing diversion and composting of organics in Illinois through advocacy, program implementation, market and business development, policy, and outreach. Its website has much information related to composting, including lists of haulers, processors, grocery stores, restaurants, businesses, and institutions that compost.
Organix Recycling, in Mokena, IL, partners with the largest brands in food, hospitals, stadiums, business cafeterias, and educational facilities to service nearly 10,000 locations across the United States to divert food products to the most effective uses possible.
Midwest Organics Recycling (MOR) is a composting operation located 40 miles north of Chicago. It was originally established to explore the environmental benefits associated with manure composting while looking to sustain the viability of one of the last dairy operations in a quickly urbanizing county. Over the years, MOR has grown substantially, now offering services such as organic waste processing and high-quality compost delivery.
Plant Chicago on Chicago’s southwest side accepts food scraps from neighbors. Their mission is to cultivate local circular economies through community-driven, hands-on programs and innovative research projects.