About
According to a Howard County study, almost 30% of what we send to the landfill could be composted and turned into a valuable product! Our Feed The Green Bin collection program allows residents to help divert this waste from the landfill.
Join the Program!
Our food scrap collection program is available to over 48,000 households. Join today and start diverting food scraps from the landfill!
Rules & Restrictions
Collection Area
Our Feed the Green Bin food scrap collection is available to over 48,000 households. Join today to start diverting food scraps from the landfill!
Not in our collection area?
- Make sure you added your address to our sign-up link below so we can keep track of residents interested in expansion.
- You can pick-up a free backyard compost bin and help to divert those food scraps.
- Drop off food scraps to the Residents' Convenience Center at Alpha Ridge Landfill.
Collection Rules
- Green bins are serviced once a week by the yard trim truck between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pickup time may vary. Items must be placed out after 6 p.m. the day before collection or before 6 a.m. the day of collection.
- Single-family homeowners must set items to be collected within five (5) feet of the nearest public road fronting their home. Place material away from mailboxes on the opposite side of the driveway, if possible.
- Residents of townhome communities without garages are required to "group" items in designated areas accessible to the collectors such as the curb end of grass islands or at the end of parking areas. Do not block mailboxes or fire hydrants.
- Tie brush and branches using string or twine. Bundles may not exceed 4' in length, 18" in diameter.
- Green bins, open-top containers, compostable or paper bags and bundles must weigh less than 40 pounds.
- Yard trim and/or food scraps in plastic bags will not be collected.
- After your items are collected, we recommend removing empty containers from your curb (or grouping area) on your scheduled collection day to mitigate safety and aesthetic concerns.
- The clean-up of yard trim, especially in grouping areas, that is spilled and/or spread by animals or wind is the responsibility of the residents.
Yes, we accept
- Fruit and vegetable scraps (fresh or cooked)
- Pumpkins and gourds
- Grass, leaves, yard trim
- Bread, pasta, rice, grains, cereal, baked goods, etc.
- Meat, fish, shellfish (including bones)
- Dairy products (cheese, butter, ice cream, etc.)
- Nuts, beans, seeds (including shells/hulls)
- Egg shells
- Pet food (dry or wet)
- Coffee grounds and filters (no foil or foil-backed products)
- Tea bags (must meet ASTM D6400 or BPI standards for compostability)
- Paper towels & napkins (free of chemicals & cleaning products)
- Compostable cups, plates and bowls (must meet ASTM D6400 or BPI standards for compostability)
- Pizza boxes (remove non-food items)
- Houseplants, cut flowers (please no dirt)
- Chopsticks and popsicle sticks
- Wood pellets
No, we can't accept
- Fats, oils, grease (small amounts are OK)
- Ice cream containers
- Facial tissues/toilet paper
- Styrofoam
- Pet waste
- Diapers
- Dirt/soil/mulch
- Recyclable paper (magazines, cardboard boxes, shredded paper, milk/juice cartons, etc.) should go in your curbside recycling only.
- Plastic bags and non-compostable packaging
Food Scrap Containers
Howard County provides eligible households with one free food scrap container for curbside collection services. Containers are assigned to each address and must remain at the home, even if the resident moves. Residents may put their street name and number on the container which will help it stay where it belongs. Repairs and replacements can be made for cracked and broken containers. Additional containers may also be purchased.
Video Guides
Food Scraps Introduction
Food Scrap Collection Containers
Food Scrap Indoor Tips
Food Scrap Outdoor Tips
Food Scrap Cart Basics
Howard County Backyard Composting
FAQs
When is my collection day?
Your green bin is collected year-round, once a week between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pickup time may vary. Items must be placed out after 6 p.m. the day before collection or before 6 a.m. the day of collection. Contact us or use our online tool to check your collection days.
Why should I join the program?
Reduces household trash. Food scraps are a large part of what people throw away (almost 30%).
Reduces greenhouse gases. Food scraps in the landfill create methane (a powerful greenhouse gas that must be controlled/treated) as they decompose.
Reduces the need for garbage disposals. By using garbage disposals to get rid of unwanted food, excess nutrients are sent to treatment plants. They are costly to process and remove (about 10 times more expensive than curbside collection and processing).
Creates a useful product. Compost is a great soil amendment that returns nutrients to gardens and produces healthy plants.
Saves money. Removing food scraps from trash reduces trash sent tot he landfill (as much as 30%!) and therefore money spent on disposal.
Keeps the food scraps local. Food scraps are processed locally at our Composting Facility at Alpha Ridge Landfill into a soil amendment which is available for sale in bulk.
Provides public awareness. Food scraps are a significant part of household waste (almost 30%) that shouldn't be wasted in the landfill.
Promotes opportunities for local business growth which may enable food scrap collection to be expanded throughout the region.
My household doesn't generate many food scraps. Should I still participate?
Yes! You can make a difference, no matter how big (or small!) your household. Composting even small amounts of food scraps reduces trash. Unexpected items such as bones, herbs/spices, cereal, corn cobs/husks, cookies and paper egg cartons can be included.
Will my green bin smell?
Please keep in mind you will be setting out the same material for collection; it will just be in a different container.
You can easily incorporate paper bags, pizza boxes, grass, leaves or baking soda to absorb liquids and reduce any smells. Rinsing and cleaning the cart may also help.
What should I use to collect food scraps indoors?
A large tub or plastic container is all you need, but if you prefer a food scrap specific container, our office provides one free indoor countertop container per residence. This container can be picked up at our office (9801 Broken Land Parkway).
You may also use compostable bags (with the BPI logo) or paper bags. Do not use plastic bags because they don't break down with the material. You can also make an easy indoor bin liner out of newspaper.
What happens to my food scraps?
Food scraps and yard trim are turned into HoCoGro compost (a valuable soil amendment) at Alpha Ridge Landfill. HoCoGro compost, mulch and topsoil are available for purchase. Please visit our Composting Facility webpage for more information about the history of this program and projected expansions.
Where can I buy compostable bags?
You are not required to use bags, but if you prefer to, please make sure the bags contain the BPI logo. The BPI logos means they are compostable and they have been tested and proven to breakdown (DO NOT use regular plastic bags). They are also available online from many different websites.
Please see the list below of retailers that have sold certified compostable bags. This list is subject to change and does not indicate whether compostable bags are in stock. Please verify with individual stores.
- Wegmans (8855 McGaw Rd)
- Wal-Mart (6405 Dobbin Rd)
- Safeway (5485 Harpers Farm Rd)
- Harris Teeter (Village Center, 8620 Guilford Rd)
- Whole Foods (10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy)
- Roots Market (5805 Clarkskville Square Dr)
- Kendall's Hardware (12260 Clarksville Pike)
- Ace Hardware (10325 Baltimore National Pike)
- Target (6111 Dobbin Rd)
- MOM's Organic Market (7351 Assateague Dr #190)
I'm having a party. What kind of paper plates, cup and bowls should I purchase?
Reusable dinnerware is always best, but if you choose to purchase disposable plates, cups and bowls please make sure they meet ASTM D6400 or BPI standards for compostability. We are unable to process any compostable utensils. Visit our website to learn more about hosting a zero waste event!
Can I put pet waste in compostable bags in my green bin?
Unfortunately, we still cannot accept pet waste (even in compostable bags). There are pathogens in these wastes that are transmittable to humans and other animals. While our composting process meets EPA composting standards and reduces pathogens, it does not sterilize the compost. We strive for a rich compost, free of pathogens and therefore, prohibit pet waste.
Which holidays affect my curbside collections?
Collections slide for certain County holidays. Visit our Holiday & Inclement Weather page for details. Sign up for our e-newsletter for slide schedule reminders.
How does inclement weather impact curbside collections?
While the County makes every effort to provide uninterrupted scheduled curbside trash, recycling, yard trim and food scraps collection services, these collections may at times experience service delays or cancellations due to severe inclement weather. When inclement weather is in the forecast, the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services monitors the weather and road conditions to determine if it is safe for crews to operate and if collections need to be delayed or cancelled. The safety of county residents and collection crews is the Bureau’s number one priority when making this determination. For more information, visit our website.
Can schools participate in the green bin program?
Our food scrap collection program is available in eligible HCPSS schools. Food scraps, napkins and compostable trays are sorted in the cafeteria, collected and sent to our Composting Facility at Alpha Ridge Landfill.
I don't receive food scrap collection service. Are there other options?
DIY! You can pick-up a free backyard compost bin and help to divert those food scraps. If you're not able to compost in your backyard, you can drop off food scraps at the Residents' Convenience Center at Alpha Ridge Landfill. Look for the two green ‘Hungry Hippo’ food scrap drop-off containers.
There are also some private haulers that may be contracted for food scrap collection services:
Looking for commercial food scrap collection? Check out of Business Recycling page for more information.