The Future of Community Composting Is Here!

We are excited to share our NEW KC Can Community Smart Cans are now rolling out across the metro—starting with three pilot cans in the Kansas City, Missouri Community Program (which is free for KCMO residents!)

These cans are part of a growing movement to make composting more accessible, efficient, and community-friendly.

What Makes Them “Smart”?

Our Smart Cans use leading-edge technology to make compost drop-off secure, sanitary, and convenient—24/7. Each can is:

  • Solar-powered for sustainable operation

  • Accessed via smart phone app

  • Secure to prevent contamination and illegal dumping

  • Sanitary with sealed, odor-controlling design

  • Remotely monitored so we can service them when needed, reducing unnecessary trips and emissions

How to Use the Smart Cans

These cans are designed to be simple and quick for KCMO residents who want to keep food waste out of the landfill.

  1. Download the App (free on iOS and Android)

  2. Collect your food scraps and paper waste (these KCMO cans are intended for use with 2-gal compostable liners only)

  3. Use the App to Unlock the Smart Can at your drop-off location

  4. Tip your tied-off liners in—one at a time—and you’re done!

Why This Matters

Kansas City is now the third city in the U.S.—behind only New York City and Arlington, VA—to integrate Smart Cans into a Community Compost program. That means our city is helping lead the way in using tech to make composting more accessible, reduce contamination, and fight climate change.

This pilot is just the beginning. Our goal is to expand Smart Can locations across the city, making it easier than ever for residents to compost and be part of the solution.

A big thank you to MARC for supporting this program, to KCMO for embracing the pilot, and to every partner and KC Can Compost team member who has worked hard to make it happen. Most importantly, thank you to our community—your participation is what turns this innovation into real climate action.

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