Residential Food Waste Collection

Love Food Not Waste

Welcome

Those who have residential garbage service now have the option to put food waste in their yard debris bin instead of in the garbage. Eugene tosses 40 million pounds of food into the local landfill each year and half of this food waste comes from homes. Composting food waste allows us to use this material for something useful while also reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.


This citywide program comes after a successful three-year residential curbside food waste collection pilot program that included 1,500 households in four Eugene neighborhoods. The mixed food waste and yard debris will be turned into nutrient-rich compost by local processors. For program updates and to learn about our other programs, sign up for our quarterly newsletter.


How-to start Composting Food Waste

  • Place a sealable container in a convenient location in your kitchen.
  • Toss in all food scraps and plate scrapings in your kitchen pail.
  • Empty your kitchen pail into your yard debris bin, along with your yard debris. There will be no changes to your pickup schedule.
  • Check out these videos on how to compost your food scraps and how to maintain your bin with Sluggo from the Eugene Emeralds!

  1. Why is the City of Eugene implementing citywide residential food waste collection?
  2. What curbside collection changes will happen in Eugene?
  3. What happens to residential food waste and yard debris that is collected by the haulers?
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What are your neighbors thinking?

“I appreciate how easy it is to participate. I also like that the program is trying to do something about the amount of garbage/ waste people produce instead of just sending it to the landfill.”


“I like that it is SO easy to do! The pail on the counter is a great reminder to put the food scraps and coffee grounds in.”

Kitchen Pail Tips

  • Empty your kitchen container into your yard debris bin frequently.
  • Drain excess liquids down the sink.
  • Clean your kitchen container regularly.
  • Shut the lid of your pail and bin when not in use.

Roll Cart Tips

  • Clean your yard debris bin regularly. Do this in a gravel or grassy area, not allowing run-off or debris to enter the stormwater drain at the street.
  • Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your yard debris cart to keep odors down.
  • Maintain a good mix of yard debris and food scraps in your bin, when possible.
  • Store containers in a shady area.
  • Even if your yard debris bin isn’t very full, be sure to bring it to the curb every collection day.
  • Freeze or refrigerate food scraps until collection day.

How do I get more information?

For more information,  e-mail wasteprevention@eugene-or.gov, or call us at 541-682-5034.

Residential food waste printable. Only food and plants go in the yard debris bin.

What are your neighbors thinking? 

"Since I’ve started composting I’ve found that I also now separate some waste out to put in the freezer to make soups and stocks. Anything that doesn’t get saved for stocks gets composted and I never did that until this program!”


“I’m happy to report that the counter top compost bin is happily being used. Thanks again for facilitating the composting program. It’s making a very positive difference in my life, and I imagine for the community at large.”

Contact Us

  1. Waste Prevention & Green Building

    Alex Reyna

    *Hablo español

    Waste Prevention Program Coordinator 

    Atrium Building

    99 W. 10th Ave.

    Eugene, OR 97401

    Ph: 541-682-5034

    Fx: 541-682-5593


    Email