Support Tidewater Compost’s Proposed Community-Scale Composting Facility
Help Bring Local Composting Infrastructure to Chesapeake, Virginia!
Tidewater Compost, a locally owned and operated small business serving Hampton Roads since 2022, is seeking community support for the development of a new, small-scale composting facility in Chesapeake, Virginia. Since beginning operations, Tidewater Compost has helped divert more than 750,000 pounds of organic waste from landfills, supporting the transformation of these materials into nutrient-rich compost returned to local soils through our community giveback program.
Each year, thousands of tons of food scraps and other compostable materials generated throughout Hampton Roads are sent to landfills instead of being recovered and transformed into valuable resources. Despite growing interest in composting and sustainable waste management, our region continues to lack sufficient local infrastructure to process these materials.
We’re working to change that, and we need your support!
Our proposed facility will occupy approximately two acres of an existing 163-acre family farm in the Fentress area of Chesapeake. By utilizing existing agricultural land and infrastructure, we aim to create a responsible, community-scale operation that transforms locally collected food scraps, yard waste, and other approved organic materials into nutrient-rich compost that can be returned to our local soils, gardens, farms, and landscapes.
Why This Facility Matters
Keep Valuable Resources Out of Landfills: Expand our region’s ability to divert food scraps and other organic materials from landfills, reducing waste and the methane emissions associated with landfilled organic materials.
Build Much-Needed Local Infrastructure: Establish dedicated compost processing capacity in Chesapeake, reducing our region’s dependence on distant processing facilities and helping make composting more accessible and sustainable.
Support Local Agriculture & Healthy Soils: Transform discarded organic materials into nutrient-rich compost that can improve soil health, support local food production, and benefit community gardens, farms, and landscapes.
Expand Composting Access: Create the infrastructure needed to support the continued growth of residential compost collection, commercial recycling programs, school initiatives, and community drop-off locations throughout Hampton Roads.
Strengthen Our Local Economy: Support a locally owned small business, create opportunities for local employment, and help establish a more circular economy where valuable resources are recovered and reused within our own community.
Preserve Our Agricultural Heritage: Continue the productive use of land that has been cared for by our family for generations, while dedicating only a small portion of the property to composting operations.
Designed With Our Community in Mind
Our proposed facility has been thoughtfully designed to operate responsibly and minimize potential impacts on neighboring properties.
The approximately two-acre operation represents just over 1% of the overall farm and will utilize covered material receiving and mixing areas, controlled aerobic composting technology, routine environmental monitoring, and comprehensive odor management procedures.
The site design also incorporates a 20-foot vegetative buffer with approximately 246 new trees and shrubs, existing vegetation, and perimeter fencing to provide additional screening and separation from surrounding properties.
Our goal is to create a facility that serves as a long-term environmental asset for Chesapeake while respecting the surrounding community and preserving the property’s agricultural character.
Add Your Name in Support!
Tidewater Compost is currently seeking approval from the City of Chesapeake through the Conditional Use Permit process to move this important project forward.
By signing this petition, you are expressing your support for the proposed Tidewater Compost facility and encouraging Chesapeake’s Planning Commission and City Council to approve the project. Your support helps demonstrate that our community values responsible waste diversion, local environmental infrastructure, agricultural preservation, and sustainable solutions for the future of Hampton Roads
By submitting this form, I confirm my support for Tidewater Compost's proposed composting facility and authorize Tidewater Compost to include my name, city/locality, and optional written comments in materials submitted to the City of Chesapeake. My email address will not be publicly shared or used for marketing without my separate consent.
Interested in Learning More About Our Proposed Facility?
We encourage you to explore the detailed plans and supporting documents submitted as part of our Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application with the City of Chesapeake. These materials provide additional information about our proposed operations, facility design, environmental safeguards, and community impact.
[Click here to view our CUP application documents.]
Have questions or want to learn more? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly! We’re always happy to answer questions, address concerns, and share more about our vision for bringing much-needed composting infrastructure to Hampton Roads.
Whether you’re a Chesapeake resident, a Tidewater Compost member, a local business owner, or simply someone who believes in building a more sustainable community, your voice matters.