In Chittenden County, food scraps account for nearly 33% of most people's trash. Although these materials are not technically "recyclable,"
they can be composted!
Composting is the process by which micro-organisms decompose organic material, producing
a nutrient rich soil amendment for your garden or house plants. Chittenden Solid Waste
District (CSWD) encourages all residents, businesses, and institutions to consider
composting.
So......How can you begin composting? There are several options:
Set up a backyard composting system. All you need is a backyard and a compost bin to collect your scraps. Soilsaver compost bins are available for purchase at the CSWD administrative office in Williston. To learn more about what you can put in your backyard composting bin click here.
We also have a Drop-Off Compost program available at our Drop-Off centers for those who wish to haul their own food scraps.
Are there any curbside collection for food scraps?
For Businesses and Institutions:
Curbside collection of food scraps is available county-wide for institutions and businesses by three private haulers.
For Residents:
Residential collection is provided by Earth Girl Composting to certain neighborhoods in Chittenden County.
CSWD has been monitoring curbside compost pickup programs for residents in other areas for many years. It's not clear yet whether this is the best strategy to manage residential food scraps. We conducted a pilot for the collection of food scraps and yard waste in 2000, which included neighborhoods in Burlington, Colchester, and Williston. One obstacle is participation: less than half of the residents invited to participate agreed to do so. It worked well for those that did. Many people can’t seem to get past what we call the Yuk Factor. The question has also been cost. Most communities who start up food scrap collection already have a yard waste collection program so adding the material doesn’t add substantial cost. There are no regular curbside collection programs for yard waste in CSWD. In any event, with our Board’s approval, we will soon be working with a consultant to evaluate various strategies for diverting additional organics in terms of environmental and economic costs and effectiveness.
For more information about composting and how you can get started please refer to the resources below:
CSWD PROGRAMS
Compost Bins -types of bins available for backyard composting
Kitchen Food Scrap Containers-kitchen food scrap container tips
FREE Compost Stickers and Signs-stickers and signs to help promote your composting program
Backyard Composting-information on how to start composting at home
Drop-Off Composting-an ideal composting option for those with no time or space to compost at home
Composting at Work or School-want to reduce your trash disposal costs and help out the environment at the same time--set up a composting program at school or work!
Recycling and Composting at your Special Events-make your next event a zero waste event!
Intervale Compost Products-the commercial composting facility servicing Chittenden County
ADDITIONAL COMPOSTING RESOURCES
Compostable "Take-Out" Container Sign
Biodegradable Plastics and Composting-information on what they are and what types are accepted
Composting with Worms-the "how to's" of composting with worms, a great composting alternative for apartment dwellers
Cornell Composting-technical information on backyard composting
Composting Grass Clippings, Leaves and Yard Waste-what you can do with your yard waste?
Link to videos on backyard composting: Turning Your Spoils to Soil and Don't Trash Grass!
(resource: Connecticut Department of Environmental Conservation)
**Interested in building your own compost bin? Click here to download a copy of our compost bin construction manual or call 872-8111 for a copy.
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