Food Waste
Food waste is collected and turned into compost and clean energy. Compost enriches soil, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and recycles nutrients.
The City of Boston offers free curbside food waste collection for Boston residents. Learn more and to sign up! There are also 24/7 community food waste bins (Project Oscar) located throughout the City where residents can drop off food waste. View locations and accepted items.
Food waste from Boston's curbside collection program is sent to an anaerobic digestor in Charlestown, where it is converted into biogas (used as energy) and digestate (fertilizer and more). Food waste from the Project Oscar food waste bins is sent to composting sites in Manchester, Groton, and Framingham. It is turned into nutrient-rich soil (compost) and sold to garden centers and farmers in New England.
By separating food waste from your regular trash, you are helping slow climate change! When you throw food in the trash it goes to combustion facilities where the foods' carbon and nutrients are lost. If you throw your food scraps in one of Boston's food waste bins, you'll return the nutrients and carbon to the soil. Thank you for your dedication to composting!
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General food waste questions? Contact 311 or 617-635-4500
Curbside Food Waste Collection questions? Contact 617-977-4547
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 CollectionHow to Collect Food Waste at Home
Food Waste at HomeStore 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 by June 7, 2024!
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:
- Earth Machine Compost Bin ($25, plus tax, with proof of Boston residency)
- 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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General food waste questions? Contact 311 or 617-635-4500
Curbside Food Waste Collection questions? Contact 617-977-4547
