Food Scraps Drop-off
20% of our trash is food waste. When you participate in the food scraps drop-off program, your food waste and non-recyclable paper products are turned into finished compost in just six months at an industrial compost facility. Compost is a valuable resource that improves soil, reduces erosion, and decreases the need for fertilizers.
How to Get Started
Step 1 – Sign up online
There are a limited number of food scraps starter kits still available. Once those run out, Washington County will no longer provide starter kits as we prepare to launch the food scraps pickup program in 2023. Certified compostable bags are still available at all our food scraps drop-off sites. If you already have a starter kit at home, continue using it. Otherwise, any other container can be used for food scraps collection.
Step 2 – Start collecting food scraps at home
- See the Frequently Asked Questions for details on what is and is not accepted.
- If using a bag not provided by the county, check that it has the “compostable” logo from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) on the bag or the box.