Compost Drop-Off Program

Food Scraps

The Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department is now offering drop-off for food scraps and compostable products (paper plates, napkins, clamshells) for composting. This program offers the public the opportunity to divert their compostable material from the trash and turn it into beneficial, beautiful compost.

  • No charge for Athens-Clarke County residents.
  • Compostable material must be loose or in a compostable bag.

Drop-off Locations

CHaRM
1005 College Ave.
Athens, GA 30605
Roll carts are located outside the gate off Cleveland Ave
Available 24/7

Solid Waste Administrative Office
725 Hancock Industrial Way
Athens, Ga 30605
Roll cart located outside to the right of the entrance
Available 24/7

Athens-Clarke County Landfill
5700 Lexington Road
Winterville, GA 30683
Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-4:30 PM
Sat 7:30 AM-3 PM


*TEMPORARILY ON HOLD*- Winterville Recycling Drop Site
Corner of Church and Parkview streets
Roll cart located beside 'No Dumping' signs
Available 24/7


Athens-Clarke County Extension Office
275 Cleveland Rd
Bogart, GA 30622
Roll cart located at the storage building
Available 24/7

Athens Farmers Market
Bishop Park, 705 Sunset Drive
Roll cart at Master Composter Tent 
Saturdays: 8 AM to 12 PM noon (March 24th–Dec 15th)

What goes in the compost cart?

  • Anything that used to be alive. Really.
  • Food scraps, including meat, cheese, yogurt
  • Dirty paper – Pizza boxes, paper plates, paper napkins
  • Cardboard, sandwich wrapping paper
  • Wax-coated cardboard is ok
  • Compostables can be pretty gross – hair, vacuum ‘dirt,’ laundry dryer lint, beverages, spoiled meat, rotten fruit/vegetables
  • BPI-certified products

NOT these items:

  • Plastics that are not BPI certified
  • Paper cups (NEW - Paper cups and clean, empty paper containers are now accepted in mixed recycling collection.)
  • Roadkill/dead wildlife
  • Just the food – not the containers

Are your wares actually compostable? Check with BPI before purchasing!

Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certification

www.bpiworld.org
The BPI is a non-profit association with the largest certification program for compostable products and packaging in North America. Their compostable logo verifies that products and packaging have been independently tested and verified according to scientifically based standards. BPI promotes best practices for the diversion and recovery of compostable materials through municipal and commercial composting.