County Executive Agard Celebrates One Year of Dane County’s Food Scrap Collection Program
May 29, 2026
execmedia@danecounty.gov, 608-800-1127
County Executive
DANE COUNTY — Dane County Executive Melissa Agard is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Dane County’s food scrap collection program, highlighting the program’s rapid growth and the thousands of residents helping reduce waste, lower emissions, and create a more sustainable future.
Since launching last year, Dane County’s Scrap Stops program has grown to more than 3,200 registered households and helped divert 610,000 pounds of food scraps from the waste stream through residential drop-off sites and commercial partnerships. That’s approximately 1.6 million bananas worth.
“Dane County residents care deeply about protecting our environment, and the success of this program shows what we can accomplish when we make sustainable choices easier and more accessible,” said County Executive Agard. “Instead of sending food scraps to the landfill, we are turning them into a resource that supports healthy soil, local agriculture, and a cleaner future for the next generation.”
“The growth of this program over the last year shows that Dane County residents are ready and willing to be part of the solution when it comes to reducing waste,” said John Welch, Director of Dane County Waste & Renewables. “By keeping hundreds of tons of food scraps out of the landfill and turning that material into a valuable soil amendment, we are extending the life of our landfill, reducing emissions, and supporting a more circular approach to managing our resources.”
The program allows residents to drop off accepted food scraps at no cost, thanks to sponsoring municipalities and groups, including the City of Madison, City of Middleton, City of Verona, Village of McFarland, Madison Christian Community, and Mount Horeb Lions Club. Collected materials are processed by Purple Cow Organics and transformed into nutrient-rich compost that can be returned to the soil.
Since its launch, the program has also helped prevent approximately 200 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, the same environmental impact as burning more than 22,500 gallons of gasoline or driving more than 500,000 miles in a typical gas-powered vehicle.
“Food waste reduction is an important part of Dane County’s broader climate strategy,” said Agard. “From renewable energy investments, to capturing landfill emissions and turning them into clean fuel, to programs like Scrap Stops, Dane County continues to lead by finding innovative solutions that reduce emissions and protect our natural resources.”
Beginning June 1, Dane County will have 12 public drop-off locations available across Madison, McFarland, Middleton, Mount Horeb, Fitchburg, and Verona. Most locations are available 24/7 year-round, making participation convenient for residents throughout the county.
Accepted items currently include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Coffee grounds and loose-leaf tea
- Eggshells
- Beans and nuts
The food scrap collection program builds on Dane County’s ongoing environmental leadership, including achieving 100% renewable electricity offset for county government facilities, partnering with farmers on conservation practices, capturing landfill methane and turning it into renewable fuel, expanding clean transportation options, and investing in innovative waste diversion solutions.
“Thank you to Dane County Waste & Renewables, the Office of Energy & Climate Change, Purple Cow Organics, and the thousands of residents who have helped make this program a success,” said Agard. “These efforts are all connected by a shared goal: protecting our environment, strengthening our communities, and ensuring Dane County remains a leader in sustainability for generations to come.”
Residents interested in participating can learn more and register through the Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables.