Citywide composting is here ♻️

Richmond Grows Gardens launches compost initiative

Four colorful compost bins sit near a fence with City of Richmond signage.

Look for the colorful Richmond Compost Initiative bins to drop off your scraps. | Photo by RICtoday

Richmond is piloting a citywide community composting program thanks to a $90,000 grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

If this sounds familiar, we first wrote about the Richmond Compost Initiative back in back in October 2021. It officially launched in July. Now, there are bins on the ground.

Richmond Grows Gardens, the city’s community garden program, is leading the project. Richmonders will be able to drop off organic matter at nearly 20 sites around the city.

From there, crews will make weekly collections to process the material and redistribute it to community gardens + green spaces. Richmond-based production farm Real Roots Food Systems will be the compost site manager.

Keep an eye out for the purple bins with green tops at several libraries + community gardens — they’re labeled “Compost Only” — where you can drop off your donations.

Here’s a quick guide on what can + can’t be composted with RCI. Pro tip: This info is also posted on signs near the drop-off bins.

You can compost:

🍂 Browns | Cardboard, shredded paper, paper bags, compostable bags, straw, leaves
🌿 Greens | Veggie + fruit waste, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, egg shells, rice and pasta (cooked or uncooked), bread, grass clippings

You can’t compost:

🧀 Containers, cutlery, food scraps that have been cooked in oil, dairy, meat, plastics, metal, glass, and pet waste.

Remember this: If it didn’t grow, it can’t go.

The RCI pilot is funded through September 2023. Keep us com-posted by sending us pictures + testimony if you try out the program.

Use the links below to share this free newsletter with someone who has always wanted to get into composting.

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Today

“Mean Girls” | Wed., Sept. 21-Sun., Sept. 25 | Times vary | Altria Theater | $35 | On Wednesdays, we see this Broadway in Richmond production. 🎟

Thursday

RVA Rapid Transit Talk | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | Free, RSVP | Hear Mike Frontiero and Tim Barham from GRTC chat about service expansion + the bus operator shortage. 🚌
Meet ChamberRVA | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 8:30 a.m. | ChamberRVA, 919 E. Main St. Suite 1700 | Free, RSVP | Learn about resources available to Richmond small businesses at this morning meet-up. 💼

Friday

“Mamma Mia!” | Fri., Sept. 23 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre | $8 | Gather all the dancing queens you know to see this movie musical on the big screen. 🍿
Sips on the Skyline | Fri., Sept. 23 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St. | $125 | This fundraising celebration features food, music + creative craft cocktails.

Saturday

Brahms X Radiohead | Sat., Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. | Dominion Energy Center Carpenter Theatre | $15+ | Through musical fusion, Steve Hackman brings out the romance in Radiohead + the sonic power of Brahms. 🎶
Chief Justice John Marshall’s Birthday Celebration | Sat., Sept. 24 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | John Marshall House, 818 E. Marshall St. | $10+ | Take a tour, snack on cookies + lemonade, and check out special displays in honor of the Chief Justice’s 267th birthday. 🎂

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

90º | Sunny | 4% chance of rain

Closing

The nonprofit Project Yoga Richmond will close its doors at the end of September. The group cited a decline in attendance + donations in its email announcement. The last Saturday Salutations at the VMFA will take place this weekend.

Community

City Councilmembers Katherine Jordan + Ann-Frances Lambert are hosting a community meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to discuss the Diamond District development. The development team will give a presentation and answer questions in the party pavilion outside of the Diamond. The event will also be livestreamed. 🏟
The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia has opened a survey to gather feedback on the future of the Confederate monuments it now owns. BHMVA is partnering with The Valentine — where the Jefferson Davis statue is currently on display — to collect thoughts.

Development

Construction work has begun at the Henrico Sports and Events Center, a $50 million project at Virginia Center Commons. The 185,000 sqft venue will be able to accommodate 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts. The project is part of the county’s push to increase sports tourism. 🏀 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
The Southern States silos in Manchester will soon be razed to make way for new development. Richmond-based Hourigan Development wants to build a 20-story apartment complex + a six-story office building at the site. Demolition on the silos could begin later this year. 🏡 (Richmond BizSense)

Sports

The Flying Squirrels fell in their first playoff match against the Erie SeaWolves last night, 9-3. The team will defend the Diamond in Game 2 tomorrow in order to stay in the series. ⚾️

Arts

The VMFA is continuing its partnership with Richmond-based streetwear company Chilalay with a second drop of exclusive clothing + accessories. The collection features works by artist Tsherin Sherpa. Head to the free Summer Breeze event this Fri., Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. to shop the pop up.

Outdoors

Grab your bike + join Breakaway RVA on a ride to explore Richmond’s Green Alleys. The group will take off tomorrow at 6 p.m. from Scuffletown Park and will discuss how to make alleys environmentally friendly and welcoming along the 11-mile ride. Pro tip: Your bike must have a front light. 🚲

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Help us hand out sushi superlatives 🍣

Asked: What are your sushi superlatives in Richmond, VA?

Which local sushi spot shines? | Photo by Diego Pontes via Pexels

We’re fishing around for the best sushi spots in Richmond — but we can’t pick just one.

Some of the categories we’re considering to highlight local restaurants include:

💸 Bang for your buck | What place has the best value + quality?
🍷 Date night dining | Where are you going for a night out?
🍣 All you can eat | Where can you really get your roll on?
💡 Most creative | What spot will surprise you?

Feel free to propose a category of your own. Let us know your thoughts for the chance to be featured in a future newsletter (and influence City Editor Robin’s lunch choices).

THE WRAP

	Today’s issue was written by Robin. Editor’s pick: The upcoming sushi convo may or may not have been inspired by recent cravings. My dark horse candidate for best roll might be Burma Sushi and Salad To Go in Henrico. 🍣 Missed yesterday’s newsletter? It’s been a plant-powered news week — we wrote about the expansion at Shalom Farms.
Read More

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Katie Potter, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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