Scraps to Soil: A Fun Guide to Composting Your Food Waste
Diverting Food Waste-A Simple Way to Make a Big Impact
Composting at home is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your environmental impact. By turning food waste into nutrient-rich soil, you help keep organic materials out of the landfill while creating a natural soil amendment for your garden. Whether you're new to composting or looking to fine-tune your process, the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center (SWC) makes it simple to get started. Pick up a free food waste collection bucket and all the resources you need to get started today!
Composting in Pitkin County: Leading by Example
The Pitkin County Solid Waste Center operates one of the largest industrial-scale composting facilities in Colorado. In 2023 alone, the SWC composted approximately 16,000 tons of organic material, and projections for 2024 indicate nearly 17,000 tons will be diverted from the landfill. When you compost at home and bring your scraps to the SWC, you’re contributing to the monumental effort of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving space in the landfill.
Why Composting Matters
Food scraps make up about 17% of what we throw away. When sent to a landfill, they decompose anaerobically, releasing methane—a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting at home prevents this and turns your food waste into a valuable resource for gardens and landscaping.
For residents in communities with a Pay-As-You-Throw trash collection system, diverting food waste can also help significantly reduce your trash volume, making it possible to downsize your trash bin and save money.
How to Get Started
Pick Up Your Free SCRAPS Compost Bucket
Stop by the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center to grab your free food waste collection bucket. This sturdy bucket comes with a screw-on lid to keep odors contained, ensuring a clean and convenient way to collect food scraps in your kitchen. You’ll also receive tips and guides on what to compost and how to do it effectively.Know What to Compost
Here’s some of what you can add to your bucket:Fruit and vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds and filters
Eggshells
Chicken bones
Paper towels
Torn-up pizza boxes
Bring Your Food Waste to the SWC and We Will Take it From There!
Drop it off for free: Bring your food waste directly to the SWC at no cost.
Use a private hauler: A local compost collection service can pick up your scraps from your home or business for added convenience.
An image depicting food waste becoming a healthy soil amendment to grow plants.
Join the Food Waste Diversion Community
Pitkin County SWC’s composting program is here to support your journey. By joining the compost community, you’ll gain access to future workshops, troubleshooting guides, and practical tips for reducing waste in your home.
Get Started Today!
Visit the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center to pick up your free food waste collection bucket and begin composting today. Together, we can make a meaningful impact by keeping food waste out of the landfill and turning it into a resource that benefits our community and the planet.
For more information, call the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center at 970-429-2880 or stop by to chat with our team. Let’s make a difference—one compost bucket at a time!