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Food Waste

Food waste is collected and turned into compost and clean energy. Compost enriches soil, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and recycles nutrients. 

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The City of Boston now offers free curbside food waste collection for Boston residents. Click the link below to learn more and sign up! There are also drop-off locations throughout the City, learn more in our drop-off program section. 

Your food waste has the potential to create a rich, soil that helps plants grow. Collecting food waste reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. It helps the environment by enriching soil, giving new plants nutrients to grow, and creating clean energy.

Curbside Food Waste Collection is Here!

Enrollment is open city-wide, space is limited so sign up today!

You can sign up for curbside food waste collection through the link below. Our partners at Garbage to Garden will reach out with more information.

Sign up for Curbside Food Waste Collection

Boston Compost Drop-Off Map

Compost Drop-off Programs

Drop-off Programs

Farmers Market Food Waste Drop-off

We are partnering with local Boston farmers markets to bring community food waste drop-off locations to more Boston...

Project Oscar

Project Oscar is Boston’s 24-hour community compost pilot program.

Community Garden Food Waste Drop-off

The City of Boston is partnering with local community gardens as neighborhood food scrap drop-off sites. We're providing...

How to Collect Food Waste at Home

Food Waste at Home

Store food scraps in a closed lid container. It’s convenient to have your container close to where you produce food waste. Keep your container on your kitchen countertop, by your trash can, or in your freezer. You will bring your food scrap container to your local Boston community food waste drop-off, so make sure it is easy to carry.

There is a full list of what is accepted at each community food waste drop-off program website. Check the Project Oscar page or the farmers markets food waste drop-off website for details. Please be sure to review the lists of what is accepted before you start dropping off your food waste. It is important to only drop-off accepted items so our food waste can be used to make compost. 

If you would like, you can line your food scrap container with BPI-Certified compostable bags. These are available online and in most hardware and grocery stores. 

When you return home from dropping off your food scraps, wash your bin in the sink. Put a little bit of dish soap inside, and rinse a few times with warm water. Throw a bit of baking soda in the bottom of your bin to freshen it up!

Thank you for participating in our programs, and for doing your part to make Boston a zero waste city! 

Community Garden Compost Request Form

The City of Boston provides compost to community gardens at no cost. Request your gardens compost here! 

Community Garden Compost Request Form

Cooking With Zero Waste

Cooking With Zero Waste

Use It Up Frittata

Learn how to reduce your food waste at home with this easy use it up frittata.

Cooking With Zero Waste

Use It Up Rice Fritters

Learn how to reduce your food waste at home with these crispy Use It Up Rice Fritters.

Cooking with Zero Waste

Use It Up Thai Curry

Learn how to reduce food waste at home with this delicious Use It Up Thai Curry.

Cooking With Zero Waste

Bread Freezing Tips

Learn how to reduce your food waste at home with these helpful tips.

Cooking With Zero Waste

Eat Me First Tip

Reduce the amount of forgotten food in your fridge with the “Eat Me First” tip.

Cooking With Zero Waste

Leftover Liquids Tip

Learn how to save leftover liquids with this helpful tip.

Cooking With Zero Waste

Lettuce Tips

Learn how to store and preserve lettuce to reduce food waste in your kitchen.

Cooking With Zero Waste

Smoothie Bag Tips

Learn how to save your leftover fruits and vegetables for delicious smoothies.

Cooking With Zero Waste

Stock Bag Tips

Learn how to get the most out of your food scraps by making homemade stock.

How to Make Compost at Home

Subsidized bins and buckets

Boston residents can buy bins and buckets at:

Boston Building Resources

100 Terrace Street, Mission Hill (617-442-2262, Ext. 1)

The company has two composting options:

  1. Earth Machine Compost Bin ($25, plus tax, with proof of Boston residency)
  2. New Age Compost Bin ($25, plus tax, with proof of Boston residency)

Learn more about these composting options on the Boston Building Resources website. You can also create your own compost bin at home.

Composting indoors

If you don’t have a backyard, you can still compost indoors:

WHAT MAKES A GOOD COMPOST PILE?

The elements of a good compost pile include biodegradables, organic material, air, and moisture.  For the best results, follow these compost instructions. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection also has information on composting.

To build your compost, you will need nitrogen-rich “green” materials, like:

  • food scraps (but not meat, dairy, fats, and oils)
  • fresh grass clippings
  • weeds (not laden with seeds), and
  • coffee grounds.

You will also need carbon-rich “brown” materials, like:

  • straw
  • dried leaves
  • woodchips
  • sawdust
  • shredded paper, and
  • pine needles (pine needles should not make up more than 10 percent of the material in the pile).
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