Frequently Asked Questions
We use green 35 gallon bins. They are like a miniature version of Chicago's standard trash and recycling bins.
We take our food scrap to an anaerobic digester facility known as Green Era. They produce biofuel and compost the digestate.
Block Bins does not currently have a compost return program. We are working on this with our partner Green Era, and hope to have a solution soon.
Yes, you can have a private Block Bin. You must uncheck the publicly accessible box when making a request to host your Block Bin, which will hide it on the map.
Note that in order to start a private Block Bin, the bin must be accessible on your service days, and we may require you (and anyone you decide to share it with) to maintain subscriptions for a minimum of 60 gallons per month.
Recycling your food scrap is one of the easiest ways to combat the climate crisis. We're importing food from across the world, and instead of creating compost with the scraps that can enrich our farmland and boost crop yield, we are emitting greenhouse gasses by burying it in landfills.
Composting can have a real impact on our greenhouse emissions. In Chicago alone, studies show that with a residential composting program operating at 75% capacity, the city can divert more than 18.5% of our waste that is currently going to landfills.
No -- Block Bins reduces rats. Rats become a problem in Chicago's alleys in part because everyone's trash bins already contain food. By collecting food scraps in a single place, we eliminate food sources for rodents. This creates an opportunity to implement reinforced bins and pest eliminators, should they be necessary.
Generally, no. Our aim is to pressure wash the Block Bin before bad smells develop. We also encourage subscribers to deposit their food scraps as close to their pickup day as possible, to reduce the opportunity for smells to develop. In the instance where the bin becomes too smelly and service is not yet due, you can contact us so we can try to help.
If you request to host a new Block Bin, you will be notified once your request is accepted. Then, you will need to subscribe to the bin before it can be placed into service. Upon funding, you will receive your 4-digit code to unlock the bin, and delivery usually occurs 5-7 days after funding.
If you want to subscribe to an existing Block Bin, there is no wait for delivery. Once you have entered your payment information, you will receive that bin's lock code and you can begin using it immediately.
Generally, requests for new Block Bins require 3 subscribers or 15 gallons monthly capacity before they are approved and placed into service. If you are requesting to host a new Block Bin, you can share a link to your requested Block Bin with your neighbors so that they can easily join your request. The sooner your requested Block Bin reaches those minimum thresholds, the sooner it can be placed into service.
You can move your subscription at any time.
- Login, go to Profile.
- Find the Block Bin you no longer wish to subscribe to, select "Update Subscription", then press "Cancel". You will receive a prorated credit towards your new Block Bin.
- Subscribe to the new Block Bin.
Alternatively, go to Profile and scroll down to Account & Billing, then press "Manage Billing" to manage your subscriptions and payment methods.
Login, then go to Profile and scroll down to Account & Billing. Press "Manage Billing". You will be directed to a secure Stripe portal to manage your payment methods.
After signing in, you can view your subscriptions on your profile page.
No, we do not provide individual food scrap containers. You can use any container that suits your liking. We recommend a container that fits in your freezer, which you can later dump into a paper bag or compostable bag. Some folks purchase a 5 gallon bucket and line them with a paper grocery bag or compostable bag.
We recommend Biobag compostable grocery bags with handles, since they are easy to tie off. You can also use paper bags from the grocery store, or paper food-service bags.
Pickup frequency depends on the number of participants and temperature outside. For bins with just a few participants, we pick up on a monthly basis during cooler months and biweekly during warmer months. For bins with many participants, we service the bin bi-weekly. If you think you need more frequent pickups, let us know.
Please contact us if you believe a special pick-up is needed.
If you are moving within Chicago, it is easy to switch your Block Bin over to one that is more convenient to your new home. You can unsubscribe from your existing bin on your Profile page, and join a new bin. Or, request to host one in your new neighborhood.
If you are moving outside of the Chicago area, make a request for a new bin there. We are constantly expanding, and will launch Block Bins service in any community that shows that the demand is there.
Yes. Block Bins is a licensed waste hauler in the City of Chicago.