New Asheville Composting Service Launches March 1st, Making Sustainability More Accessible

Asheville, NC – A new local composting service is launching in Asheville on March 1, 2025, aiming to make composting easier, more affordable, and more accessible for residents and businesses alike. Happy Scraps Composting, founded by Asheville local Ryan Thomas, is a community-driven compost pickup service designed to remove the hassle of composting while keeping food waste out of landfills.

A Local Solution to a Growing Problem

Asheville has long been known for its environmental consciousness, yet many residents still struggle with composting due to inconvenient municipal drop-off locations, expensive private services, or simply not knowing where to start. Happy Scraps Composting was created to fill this gap, offering affordable, scheduled compost pickup directly from homes and businesses across Asheville.

“I started Happy Scraps because I saw how frustrating and inaccessible composting could be,” said Ryan Thomas, founder and sole operator of the service. “The city’s free composting drop-offs are often full and inconvenient, and the private options available are priced too high for many households. I knew there had to be a better way—so I built one.”

How It Works

Happy Scraps Composting provides scheduled pickups for household and business compost. Customers receive a secure compost bin, fill it with accepted compostable materials, and leave it out for collection on their scheduled pickup day. The collected waste is processed at a composting site within Asheville’s municipal limits, ensuring minimal emissions from transport.

Right now, Happy Scraps accepts fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells, grains, plant-based food scraps, and more—but does not accept meat, bones, or dairy. A full guide to what’s compostable is available on the Happy Scraps website.

Meet the Founder

Thomas, a West Asheville resident, has had a diverse and adventurous career—from working as an Outward Bound guide in the Appalachian region to building ice castles in New Hampshire and working as a deckhand on an Alaskan salmon fishing vessel. His passion for composting began when he was responsible for managing a resort’s kitchen scraps and indoor composting system in New Hampshire, where he saw firsthand how waste could be transformed into nutrient-rich soil.

Now, with Happy Scraps Composting, he hopes to make composting a normal part of daily life in Asheville, just like recycling.

How to Get Started

Residents and businesses interested in hassle-free composting can sign up for Happy Scraps Composting today. Pickup service begins March 1, 2025, with weekly and biweekly plans available.

For more information, to check pricing, or to sign up, visit Happy Scraps Composting’s website or text (828) 484-6944.