Waste Free Greenwich

Food scraps are one of the largest components of our waste stream in Connecticut, making up more than 22% of municipal solid waste, according to CT DEEP. 

Food waste is not trash! It’s a potentially valuable resource that can be turned into compost, a soil amendment that enriches our soil. All the nutrients, energy and resources used to produce food are lost when food is trashed, along with the expenses associated with their collection, transport and disposal. 

Food scraps are wet and heavy, decreasing the efficiency of incinerators, and in landfills, the material creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat contributing to climate change. Composting food scraps turns that story around, by producing a useful and valuable product that gives back to our nutrient life cycle, resulting in cleaner soil, water and air.

A food scrap recycling program can also increase awareness and change habits. As residents separate food waste from trash, they become aware of how much food they toss, prompting them to buy less. Ultimately, this can lead to less garbage collected and potentially less waste management expenses. on text goes here

The drop-off food scrap recycling pilot is voluntary and free to all Greenwich residents. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. COLLECT your food scraps in a kitchen collection container. Although not required, you may line the container with a BPI-certified compostable bag or paper bag. Please no plastic bags; they do not break down and contaminate the final product.

2. TRANSFER food scraps from the countertop pail once full to a larger bin for weekly storage. Most residents will fill the countertop pail 3-4 times per week. This larger bin can also be used for transportation of food scraps to Holly Hill. It is recommended that food storage bins be kept indoors – either in the house or in the garage. Food scraps may be also be frozen for convenience.

3. BRING your transportation bins to a Food Scrap Recycling drop-off site (see locations below) to dispose of your food scraps as often as needed.

There are now three options for dropping off food scraps for recycling.

1) Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility (Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich)

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 7 am - 2:30 pm; Saturday 7 am -12 noon. Permit required for entry.

The designated drop-off location is next to the trash building. Follow the traffic flow through the residential trash and recycling areas. If you have only food scraps, you can bypass the trash/recycling area, following signs to the trash building. At the bottom of the hill, veer left toward the trash building. Do not enter the commercial entrance to the building. Park in designated spaces. Toters are located in the shed adjacent to the waste motor oil drop-off area.  

Please be patient and careful when waiting in the line of traffic. It is highly recommended that residents visit the facility for food scrap drop off during weekdays rather than Saturday to avoid higher capacity times.  

2) Round Hill Community Church (395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich):

Wednesdays 10 am - 12 noon

Drop off at the Community House parking lot (south side of building).

3) Living Hope Community Church (38 West End Avenue, Old Greenwich):

November - May 25: Wednesdays 12 noon - 2 pm only

June 1 - November: During Old Greenwich Farmer’s Market, Wednesdays 2:30 - 6 pm only

** volunteers are on hand at satellite locations on Wednesdays to answer questions and for kit sales **

ALL FOOD, including:

Fruits & vegetables (remove stickers, bands & ties)

Meat & poultry (bones ok)

Fish & shellfish (shells ok)

Dairy products

Rice & grains

Eggshells

Chips & snacks

Nuts & seeds

Leftover, spoiled & expired food (cooked ok)

OTHER ITEMS

Coffee grounds (paper filters ok)

Tea bags (no staples)

Napkins & paper towels (food spoiled only, no chemical cleaners)

Cut flowers & house plants

Paper or BPI-certified compostable bags

QUESTIONS? Email wastefreegreenwich@gmail.com

NO plastic bags, plastic packaging & wrappers. Plastic does not biodegrade & will contaminate compost. Use only BPI-certified compostable bags, paper bags or no bags.

NO bio-plastic or compostable food service ware. This includes plates, utensils, cups and other “compostable” packaging.

NO shredded paper. Please drop shreds at the designated collection container at Holly Hill adjacent to the office trailer.

NO baby, hand or cleaning wipes. They are synthetic, do not biodegrade and contaminate the compost.

NO pet waste.

Although they are not required to participate, food scrap recycling “starter kits” make the process easy. Kits are $20 each (cash or checks payable to “Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board”) and include one 2-gallon countertop pail, one 6-gallon home storage and transportation bin, one roll of 25 compostable bags and a “how to” guide.

Kits are available for sale at the following events:

1) Round Hill Community Church (395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich): Wednesdays at 10 am - 12 noon

2) Living Hope Community Church (38 West End Avenue, Old Greenwich): Wednesdays at 12 noon - 2 pm only until May 25th and at 2:30 - 6 pm after June 1 during the Old Greenwich Farmer’s Market.

2) By appointment at Greenwich Green & Clean, 113 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich. Please call 203-531-0006 to arrange sale.