• Better Packaging, Less Waste
    Nearly all of the packaging for our food is compostable. To accomplish this, we did a major overhaul of our packaging sources so that we can use the least amount of plastic and foil possible.

  • Our Composting Partner
    The Refill Market has been amazing to work with in furthering our mission to provide zero-waste packaging. You can compost your containers at their location after eating your meals.

  • Read the Guidelines
    Please read the guidelines below carefully before visiting The Refill Market. Also please note that we cannot compost your containers at our New World Kitchen location.
The Refill Market Sustainable Grocery in Des Moines, Iowa

Get Your Composting Bag

Stop by The Refill Market to get a compostable 13-gallon bag. For now, the bags are available on a pay what you can system. Pick them up at the register. Fill the bag with permitted items listed below, then return the bag to The Refill Market when it's full. They'll take care of transferring the bag to the compost bin. The bin is exchanged each week by Compost Ninja.

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Composting Guidelines

  • New World Kitchen Packaging
    The Refill Market always accepts our packaging at their Ingersoll shop with the exception of the foil pans and lids we use for a small number of our meals. You are welcome to put your New World Kitchen containers into a compost bag alongside other items, but it isn't required. You can just turn your containers in at the register and they'll take care of the rest! To compost other items, check the lists here provided by Compost Ninja, before adding items to your bag.

  • Other Compostable Items
    Fruit & vegetable scraps, meat, shellfish, fish products, pasta, bread, cereal, dairy products, egg shells, coffee grounds, filters, tea bags, paper towels & paper towel rolls, soiled paper food packaging, paper fast-food packaging, pizza boxes, muffin wrappers, flour & sugar bags, paper plates, candies, cookies & cake, baking ingredients, herbs & spices, household plants (including soil), pet food, items labeled "BPI certified compostable", items labeled "ASTM D6400 or D6868".

  • Not Compostable
    Plastic of any kind, styrofoam meat trays, aluminum foil, candles, synthetic corks & gum, artificial flowers, plants, rugs, carpets, cigarette butts. tobacco, dental floss, q-tips, baby wipes, disposable mop sheets, dryer lint sheets, vacuum cleaner bags, hair, pet fur, pet waste, dead animals, fireplace or BBQ ashes, recyclable materials, items labeled 'biodegradable', items labeled "oxo-biodegradable". If you're not sure if your item is compostable, please check with Compost Ninja.

Interested in Partnering?

Interested in partnering with New World Kitchen for composting services? Help us make Des Moines more sustainable!

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