Pilot Curbside Food Waste Program

The Windsor Neighborhood residents have an opportunity for their food scraps to be composted via a curbside pick-up.

Coming Soon to Windsor!

The City’s Sustainability Advisory Board is proud to announce City Council’s approval for a free Food Waste Pick-Up Pilot Program in the Windsor Neighborhood. 

The first 150 qualifying residents to apply will receive a compost bucket from The Compost Exchange. Beginning (tentatively) in September 2025, curbside pick-up will commence. The pick-up day will be communicated by The Compost Exchange soon, but residents are asked to place their provided bucket where trash and recycling are collected by 7 a.m. on the designated day to have their food scraps collected each week for 12 months. To prevent waste management companies from removing the provided food waste bucket, it’s recommended to place the bucket a few feet behind the waste bins.

Register
Yellow background with black hand-drawn illustrations of fruits, vegetables, and compostable items surrounding the bold black text "The Compost Exchange" in the center

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is The Compost Exchange?

After a thorough vetting process, the Sustainability Advisory Board selected The Compost Exchange as its preferred vendor for this pilot. Their mission is to “convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, fostering a sustainable circular economy.” 

The City is always seeking out opportunities to work towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. In tandem with The Compost Exchange, our goal is to increase accessibility and awareness to composting food waste while decreasing the amount of compostable materials ending up at the landfill. 

While residents expressed interest in more composting opportunities, this pilot neighborhood will help the City determine if residents will take advantage of a more long-term program.

The program will last for 12 months. Assuming that we begin collection in September 2025, the program will run to September 2026.

The City is paying for residents to use the collection buckets during this period, but The Compost Exchange owns the buckets. At the conclusion of this pilot, the buckets will be collected by The Compost Exchange.

In the event that a bucket is broken, lost or stolen, The Compost Exchange will take care of providing a replacement. 

If your question pertains to the structure, purpose, or details of the pilot program, please contact Chelsea Nichols (cnichols@newalbanyohio.org). 

The Compost Exchange will provide a compostable liner for the inside of the bucket. When placing the liner in the bucket, leave 2″ draped outside and around the top of the bucket and secure it with the provided rubber band. Then, you can secure the lid of the bucket. 

PRO TIP: Add a brown paper bag to the bottom of the bucket before you add the liner to prevent the liner from sticking. 

Freeze scraps to prevent odors and fruit flies, especially if you miss a pick-up or drop-off. 

To reduce moisture, place used paper towels in the liner and one at the bottom of the bucket. 

The City has covered the cost to participate in this program. At its conclusion, The Compost Exchange will collect its buckets from residents. 

When it’s time to set the bucket out, tie the liner, secure the lid, and place your bucket where you regularly set waste bins by 7 a.m. on the pick-up day.

Please keep the bucket separated from the waste bins in your driveway to avoid waste management companies mistaking your bucket for garbage.

Please email Chelsea Nichols at cnichols@newalbanyohio.org.

You can reference the list of materials we collect on our website, but just reach out if you are unsure! If it is a product, we require that it is BPI Certified Compostable.

https://www.thecompostexchange.com/help/what-can-compost

Three yellow compost buckets with black lids, labeled "The Compost Exchange" and instructions for composting food scraps, stacked outdoors on a concrete surface with grass and trees in the background.

Pick-Up Day Protocol

For an easy and successful compost pick-up, just follow these simple steps:

  1. Prepare your bucket. On your scheduled pick-up day, make sure your bucket’s lid is securely closed and the liner inside is tied shut.

  2. Place it in the right spot. Set your bucket in your driveway, behind your regular trash and recycling bins. Make sure there’s at least a 3- to 6-foot gap between your compost bucket and the other bins.

  3. Put it out on time. Have your bucket in a clearly visible spot by 7 a.m. on your designated day.

The Compost Exchange team will take the full liner and replace it with a fresh one for you.

If you would like to modify or cancel your service, please contact Chelsea Nichols (cnichols@newalbanyohio.org).
A large outdoor trash bin and a small yellow food scrap bucket placed on the ground with a double-headed arrow between them labeled "3-6FT APART" indicating recommended distance.

Registration Form

Contact Us

Chelsea Nichols

Planner II

Phone: 614-245-8871
cnichols@newalbanyohio.org