NOTICE
Beginning January 1, 2024, the Food Waste Collection Program will be serviced by Local Waste Services. Food waste is collected on your normal pick-up day, separate from your trash, recycling and yard waste. And you must be enrolled in the program in order to participate. Details on the program and how to request to be enrolled can be found below.
The City offers both drop-off and curbside collection of food waste. The drop-off program offers three locations that all UA residents can use. The curbside collection program is open to a limited number of UA residents and enrollment is required. More information on both programs can be found below.
For both programs, the accepted and not accepted items are the same:
ACCEPTED MATERIALS
- Meat, fish, and bones
- Dairy products & eggs
- Fruits & vegetables
- Pasta, grains, & beans
- Baked goods & pastries
- Coffee grounds & paper coffee filters
- Paper towels & soiled napkins (exclude paper with coatings which could be plastic)
- BPI Certified Compostable Materials – MUST have the BPI Certification stamp
- This includes compostable liners
- Pizza Boxes – tear into small pieces before composting (do not put full pizza boxes in the containers)
- Animal Waste
- If bagged, bags MUST be BPI certified
- NO kitty litter
Not all “compostable materials” made are accepted! For “compostable” plastic items, please ensure the item is labeled as “BPI Certified” – when in doubt, LEAVE IT OUT! Questions about what can be included? Contact [email protected]
NOT ACCEPTED MATERIALS
- Plastic Bags – BPI certified liners ONLY
- No grocery bags, sandwich bags, trash bags, etc.
- Yard Waste (this is collected curbside on your normal trash/recycling collection day)
- Traditional Plastics (containers, coatings, films, etc.)
- Milk Cartons & similar (they have a plastic lining)
- Aluminum Foil
- Clothing & Textiles (including face coverings)
- Electronics
- Glass & Glass Bottles
- Medicines & Other Healthcare Products
- Tin & Aluminum Cans
- Rubber, Plastic, or Nitrile Gloves
- Stericycle Items (e.g. Potato Chip Bags)
- Stones & Rocks
- Styrofoam of any kind
The City currently provides a food waste drop-off program, open to all residents, no sign-up required, with three convenient locations:
- Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road – on the south side of the building next to the dumpsters
- Amelita Mirolo Barn, Sunny 95 Park, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane – by the front entrance
- Fancyburg Park, 3375 Kioka Avenue – in the parking lot off Kioka Avenue
65-gallon containers are available at each location for you to dump “accepted” food scraps as detailed above. Every week, Local Waste Services empties and re-lines the containers, ensuring they are in working condition to combat rodent issues or smells.
Unaccepted items may render the contents of a container ineligible for composting. A rule of thumb for any food scrap composting program is: “When in doubt, leave it out.” If you are not sure if an item is BPI-certified compostable, check the BPI website, contact us or simply do not include it. We depend on you to help keep non-compostable items out of the composting process.
Using a liner is a great way to keep your container clean, however, it is important to only use BPI-certified compostable liners. The use of plastic baggies, grocery bags or trash bags is strictly prohibited. Please look for the BPI certification stamp on the bag. Not sure? You can always check the BPI website or contact us with questions.
If you have any questions about the program, contact [email protected].
DROP-OFF FAQS
Food Waste (5)
Cardboard pizza boxes are compostable BUT they take up a lot of room in the containers. If you would like to compost your pizza box, tear it into small pieces before composting. Do not put full pizza boxes into the containers!
Small amounts of food-soiled paper towels and/or napkins can be included; do not include paper towels with cleaning or other types of chemicals.
A limited amount of BPI-certified compostable material can be included with your food waste. If you are not sure if an item is BPI-certified compostable, check the BPI website, contact us or simply do not include it. We depend on you to help keep non-compostable items out of the composting process. Contact the Public Service Department if you have any questions about accepted vs. not-accepted items.
YES! GoZERO sells their compost product in 5lb bags for delivery or you can request a bulk delivery. Click here for pricing and order information.
The City of Upper Arlington is proud to offer one of the only municipal curbside food waste collection programs in Central Ohio. After successful completion of the curbside pilot program, the City is excited to expand services to more residents! The program is still offered on a first-come, first-served basis but all residents are encouraged to apply.
You can apply to participate in the program by completing application form below.
Interested in joining the curbside program? Apply now!
After completing the form, watch for an email from [email protected] with more information and next steps. Please note: completing the online form does not mean you are immediately enrolled in the program. Already submitted and looking for a status update? Email: [email protected]
Service Instructions
- Once enrolled and have received your bucket, you can participate in the weekly collection.
- Place your bucket out for collection at the edge of your curb or driveway by 7 am on your normal trash/recycling collection day; do not place it in the street.
- Please tie the bucket liner closed before setting out for collection.
- Be sure to securely place the lid on your bucket to avoid any accidental spillage or interest from neighborhood wildlife.
- After collection occurs, return the empty bucket to your house by that evening and store it in a secure location.