Giving Local Food Waste a New Beginning
Our Future Community Composting Facility in Chesapeake, Virginia
A thoughtfully designed, small-scale composting operation transforming local food scraps into nutrient-rich compost while preserving farmland and protecting the character of the surrounding community.
Rooted in Local History
Our future composting facility sits on family farmland that’s been worked and loved since the 1920s. Generations of hands have tilled this soil, and today, we’re transforming a small piece of that same land into a modern hub for sustainability and soil regeneration.
This project is more than just a facility—it’s a continuation of our family legacy and a tangible way we can give back to our community and our environment.
A Thoughtfully Designed Community Composting Facility
Our proposed facility at 1740 Blue Ridge Road in Chesapeake will transform locally collected food scraps and other approved organic materials into nutrient-rich compost, helping build a more sustainable future for Hampton Roads.
The facility is designed to occupy approximately two acres of our 163-acre family farm, utilizing an existing pole barn and a carefully planned operational layout that minimizes disturbance to the surrounding agricultural property.
Food scraps will be received and mixed under cover, processed using an aerated static pile (ASP) composting system, and cured in designated covered bunkers. This controlled approach is designed to support efficient decomposition while helping manage odors, moisture, and other potential impacts.
Our goal is to create a professionally operated composting facility that serves the community while remaining compatible with the surrounding rural landscape.
Conceptual illustration of the proposed composting operation within the existing pole barn. Final construction and operations remain subject to applicable permits and approvals.
Designed With Our Neighbors in Mind
We recognize that being a good neighbor means more than simply meeting regulatory requirements. It means thoughtfully designing our facility, operating responsibly, and respecting the rural character of the surrounding community.
From vegetative screening and enclosed processing areas to carefully managed operating hours and environmental safeguards, our proposed facility incorporates measures intended to minimize potential impacts on nearby properties.
Conceptual rendering illustrating the proposed vegetative screening around the existing pole barn. The facility design also includes a six-foot privacy-slatted perimeter fence, which is not depicted in this rendering. Final landscaping and site improvements remain subject to applicable approvals.
A Closer Look at Our Proposed Facility
Our proposed facility has been carefully planned to make efficient use of the existing agricultural property while incorporating designated areas for material receiving, composting, curing, and finished compost storage.
The site plan illustrates the proposed facility layout, access routes, landscape screening, and other improvements intended to support safe, efficient operations while maintaining compatibility with the surrounding rural community.
Proposed Tidewater Compost Facility Site Plan - October 2026 CUP Submission. Final site improvements remain subject to applicable permits and approvals.
Building a More Circular Hampton Roads
Food scraps are valuable resources, not waste. When recovered and composted locally, these materials can be transformed into nutrient-rich soil amendments that support healthier soils, local agriculture, and a more resilient community.
Our proposed Chesapeake composting facility will help strengthen the region's local composting infrastructure, reduce reliance on distant processing facilities, and create a more sustainable system for managing food scraps generated by households, businesses, schools, and community organizations throughout Hampton Roads.
By keeping these resources local, we can help close the loop—returning valuable nutrients to the soil while supporting the farmers, gardeners, and green spaces that make our region thrive.
Since launching in 2022, Tidewater Compost has helped Hampton Roads residents, businesses, schools, and community partners divert nearly 750,000 pounds of organic materials from our local landfills and return over 200,000 pounds of finished compost to the community.
Our proposed facility represents the next step in expanding this impact—creating the local infrastructure needed to serve more of our region while helping transform food waste into a valuable community resource.
Our Path Toward Opening
Bringing a community composting facility to Chesapeake requires careful planning, technical review, and coordination with local and state regulatory agencies.
We've spent considerable time refining our proposed facility design, developing operational safeguards, and addressing feedback from City departments and technical reviewers.
We're committed to maintaining an open and transparent process as we work toward securing the necessary approvals and bringing this important local resource to Hampton Roads.
Our site location: 1740 Blue Ridge Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Frequently Asked Questions
We're committed to sharing clear, accessible information about our proposed Chesapeake composting facility and the best management practices guiding its design and operation.
Here, you'll find answers to common questions about the composting process, facility operations, environmental safeguards, and our ongoing commitment to being a responsible neighbor.
Learn More About Responsible Composting
Composting is a science-based process supported by established operational best practices. To learn more about how professionally managed composting works, the importance of proper material management, and the environmental benefits of recycling organic materials, explore these educational resources from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
How Composting Works — U.S. EPA
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Our proposed facility will transform locally collected food scraps and other approved organic materials into nutrient-rich compost for farms, gardens, and landscapes throughout Hampton Roads.
Materials will be received and mixed under cover, processed using a managed aerated static pile (ASP) composting system, and cured in designated covered bunkers. The operation will utilize an existing agricultural pole barn on our 163-acre family farm.
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Composting is a carefully managed biological process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms, oxygen, moisture, and carbon-rich materials to transform food scraps into a stable, earthy-smelling soil amendment.
A common misconception is that composting inherently creates unpleasant odors. In reality, properly managed aerobic composting maintains oxygen-rich conditions that support efficient decomposition and help minimize nuisance odors.
Our proposed facility incorporates established best management practices, including covered receiving and processing areas, controlled aeration, appropriate material blending, moisture management, routine inspections, and ongoing process monitoring. These practices are designed to maintain healthy composting conditions and produce high-quality finished compost.
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The facility will accept approved, source-separated organic materials, including food scraps and suitable carbon-rich composting amendments.
Incoming materials will be inspected for contamination. Mixed municipal solid waste, biosolids, medical waste, hazardous materials, and other prohibited wastes will not be accepted.
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Professionally managed composting facilities use established best management practices to discourage wildlife, rodents, insects, and other pests.
Our proposed facility will incorporate covered receiving and processing areas, timely material handling, routine housekeeping, litter prevention, incoming load inspections, and pest monitoring.
By limiting access to fresh organic materials and maintaining clean processing areas, these measures are designed to discourage nuisance animals and support a clean, orderly operation.
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The proposed facility will occupy approximately two acres of our 163-acre family farm, leaving the vast majority of the property outside the proposed operational footprint.
The design incorporates an existing pole barn, a 20-foot-deep vegetative screen along designated boundaries, and a six-foot privacy-slatted perimeter fence.
These features are intended to help visually screen facility activities and maintain compatibility with the surrounding agricultural landscape.
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Normal operations are planned for Monday through Saturday, 8 AM–5 PM, with permitted operational flexibility between 7 AM and 7 PM.
Quiet, non-processing personnel access may occur outside these hours as necessary. No routine operations are planned for Sundays.
All site visitors will be by appointment only.
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The facility is anticipated to generate approximately 10–15 one-way vehicle trips per operating day, primarily consisting of authorized collection vehicles, approved haulers, and operational personnel.
The primary travel route is expected to use Blue Ridge Road toward Centreville Turnpike. The facility will not operate as a public food scrap drop-off location, helping limit unnecessary vehicle activity.
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The proposed facility will incorporate stormwater management, drainage controls, covered processing areas, routine inspections, litter prevention, and established operating procedures.
These measures are designed to protect surrounding land and water resources, maintain an orderly operation, and support compliance with applicable City of Chesapeake and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality requirements.
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Hampton Roads needs additional local infrastructure to recover and recycle food scraps that would otherwise be sent to landfills.
Our proposed facility will help expand regional composting capacity, reduce reliance on distant processing partners, and return valuable nutrients to local soils.
By utilizing an existing agricultural structure on family-owned farmland, we hope to create a lasting community resource that supports local agriculture, environmental stewardship, and a more circular regional economy.
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Tidewater Compost submitted its revised Conditional Use Permit application to the City of Chesapeake Planning Department on October 9, 2026.
The proposal remains subject to additional City review, applicable public hearings and local approvals, Virginia DEQ permitting, and other required authorizations.
A construction and opening schedule will be established as the permitting process progresses.
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We welcome questions, feedback, and constructive conversations with neighboring residents and the broader Chesapeake community.
Community members can contact Tidewater Compost directly through our website to learn more about the proposed facility, review available project information, or share questions and concerns.
Once operational, our procedures call for community concerns to be documented and investigated within 24 hours of receipt.
🌍 Community Impact & Education
Building a more sustainable Hampton Roads starts with education, collaboration, and community involvement. Since launching in 2022, Tidewater Compost has worked alongside local schools, nonprofits, businesses, and environmental organizations to make composting more accessible and demonstrate the value of keeping organic resources within our community.
Our impact goes well beyond food waste collection. We've returned more than 200,000 pounds of finished compost to the community, helping nourish local gardens, support soil improvement projects, and bring the benefits of composting full circle.
Through partnerships with organizations such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Elizabeth River Project, Lynnhaven River NOW, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Operation Smile, the Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast, and the Virginia Zoo, we're helping connect residents with practical ways to reduce waste, protect natural resources, and build healthier soils.
Education is especially important to our mission. Our school composting initiatives give students hands-on opportunities to participate in food waste recycling, understand the science of composting, and see how the materials they collect can be transformed into compost for school gardens and other growing spaces.
From classrooms and community events to local businesses and neighborhood organizations, every partnership helps strengthen a culture of environmental stewardship across Hampton Roads.
Our proposed Chesapeake facility represents an opportunity to build on these existing efforts—expanding local composting capacity while creating new possibilities for education, collaboration, and community impact.
Growing Together With Our Community
Our vision for this facility extends beyond composting food scraps. It's about creating a lasting community resource that supports local agriculture, strengthens environmental stewardship, and helps build a more sustainable Hampton Roads.
As a locally owned and operated business with deep roots in the region, we're committed to developing a facility that reflects the values of the community we serve. That means operating responsibly, maintaining open communication, and being thoughtful neighbors throughout the permitting process and beyond.
We welcome the opportunity to connect with neighboring residents, community organizations, and anyone interested in learning more about our plans.
Have questions about our proposed facility? We'd love to hear from you!
“We don’t just want to make compost—we want to make a difference. Together, we can give life to local waste”
We Want to Hear from You
This project is being built with the community in mind, and we welcome your thoughts. Have a question, concern, or idea? Don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re listening—and we’re here to work together.