Food Scrap Recycling | Scraps to Soil

Turn Food Scraps Into a Resource

Greenwich residents can help reduce waste by separating food scraps from household trash and bringing them to one of the Town’s convenient food scrap recycling locations.

Through the Scraps to Soil program, collected food scraps are transported to a permitted composting facility where they are transformed into nutrient-rich compost.

The Town of Greenwich launched the program in 2020 in partnership with Waste Free Greenwich, the Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board (GRAB), Greenwich Green & Clean, and other community partners.

Why recycle food scraps?

Food scraps make up more than 20% of Greenwich’s waste stream. Separating them from household trash helps reduce the amount of material sent for incineration while putting valuable organic material back to beneficial use.

Since the program began, Greenwich residents have diverted more than 780,000 pounds of food scraps from the waste stream.

Food scrap recycling helps:

  • Reduce the amount of household waste sent for disposal

  • Turn organic material into nutrient-rich compost

  • Support healthier soil and plant growth

  • Reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

  • Encourage all of us to become more aware of the food we buy and discard

Watch Video How It Works

Getting Started Is Easy

1. COLLECT

Collect food scraps in a small container in your kitchen.

You may use a BPI-certified compostable bag or a paper bag, or place food scraps directly into your container.

Please do not use plastic bags.

2. STORE

Transfer food scraps to a larger container as needed until you are ready to drop them off.

Many residents keep their food scraps in the refrigerator or freezer between visits to help control odors.

3. DROP OFF

Bring your collected food scraps to one of Greenwich’s food scrap recycling locations.

Participation is voluntary and free for Greenwich residents.

Two Convenient Ways to Participate

24/7 Smart Bins

Greenwich now offers secure, app-accessed food scrap recycling bins available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at:

  • Binney Park
    Old Greenwich

  • Cos Cob Park
    22 Sound Shore Drive, Cos Cob

HOW TO USE SMART BINS

1. Download metroKEY
Get the free app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

2. Create your account
Accounts are verified and activated within 48 business hours.

3. Unlock the bin
At the location, open the app, select the site and tap Unlock Bin.

How to use the smart bins

Staffed Drop-Off Locations

Food scraps may also be brought to staffed collection locations throughout Greenwich during designated hours.

  • Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility
    Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich
    Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–2:30 pm
    Saturday, 7:00 am–12 noon
    Permit required for entry.

  • Round Hill Community Church
    395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich
    Wednesdays, 10:00 am–12 noon

  • Old Greenwich Farmer’s Market
    St. Catherine of Siena Church, parking lot across from 4 Riverside Avenue, Riverside
    Wednesdays, 1:00–5:00 pm

Map of Drop Off Locations

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

List of Accepted Items

Need a Starter Kit?

Starter kits and BPI-certified compostable bags are available at several community locations, including Greenwich Green & Clean by appointment.

Greenwich Green & Clean
113 Pemberwick Road
Greenwich, CT 06831
203-531-0006

Please call ahead to arrange pickup.