Food Scrap Recycling
Why recycle food scraps?
Food scraps account for over 22% of Connecticut’s municipal solid waste.
This program is organized by the Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board and Waste Free Greenwich, in partnership with the Town’s Department of Public Works, the Conservation Commission and Greenwich Green & Clean.
How does the program work?
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.
What materials are accepted?
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
Where can I drop off food scraps?
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.
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 21: Wednesdays 12 noon - 2 pm only
- May 28 - 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 **