Residential Food Scrap Drop Off
If you would like to compost your food scraps but don’t have the space, time or desire to manage your own compost bin, there are a number of locations throughout the state where residents can bring their food scraps free of charge. We collect from residential drop off sites in Hardwick, Greensboro, and Stannard (site locations below).
Acceptable Items for Compost
We collect all food scrap materials and some paper products including:
Fruits, vegetables
Meat, bones, dairy, seafood
Liquids, oils, fats
Coffee grinds & filters
Paper products: brown paper towels & napkins, certified compostable paper plates & take-out containers
We DO NOT accept any compostable or biodegradable plastic bags, cups, or utensils. All packaging on meat and produce must be removed, including rubber bands, twist ties, and PLU stickers. Your food scraps are brought back to our farm in Stannard, where their first purpose is for feed for the laying hens. Please keep the ladies in mind.
How To Use the Drop Off Sites
1. Watch this 3 minute video on community composting in Vermont from the Highfields Center for Composting.
2. Learn what materials are and are not accepted at the drop site. Download the poster below and stick it on the fridge!
3. Sign up to use a drop off site. This will keep you in the loop and abreast of important information. You can sign up in the side bar on the right.
4. Find a bucket that did not previously contain toxic substances and start collecting food scraps!
5. Drop 'em off!
Drop off Locations
All Metals Recycling Center
Located at 2141 VT Route 15, in Hardwick. Open 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday -Friday, and 8:00am to 1:00pm Saturdays
Black Dirt Farm
Located in front of the barn. Open 8-5 Monday through Saturday.
Greensboro Recycling Center
Located behind the Town Hall in Greensboro. Open on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00am.
Wolcott Transfer Station
Located at 142 Dump Road off Gulf Road on Rte 15 Wolcott, VT 05680. Open Saturdays & Sundays, 9:00am to 1:00pm.
Benefits of Composting
Reduce waste food scraps make up to 50% of the waste stream
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills and fertilizer manufacturing and transport
Improve soil and water Compost replenishes topsoil and protects our waterways
Improve food security Vermont’s food scraps can provide fertility to grow 17,000 acres of vegetables
Support the local economy Composting is a local activity creating jobs in the green economy