West Haven, CT

Food Scrap Recycling

As part of the pilot program, all households will receive an allotment of 117 free trash and food scraps bags to use for the duration of the nine-month pilot. Each household will receive enough bags to use one 8-gallon green bag per week for food scraps, along with two 15-gallon orange bags for trash each week for the length of the pilot program. You will receive a postcard in the mail with more details on how to pick up your bags, learn more here.

Watch this short video to learn more!

Fill It!!

Line a lidded container with a green bag and fill it with loose food scraps, no packaging

Drop It!!

Each week, tie and close your green bag and place it in your trash cart for co-collection

 

The Co-Collection program has started! Please separate your food scraps from your trash and place the following items loose in your GREEN food scraps bags, please remove from any packaging:

Please do not include:

  • no plastic
  • no metal
  • no sanitary waste
  • no pet waste or diapers
  • no trash

All your food scraps!

  • Fruits & Vegetables (no stickers)

  • Meat & Seafood (include bones and shells)

  • Eggs & Eggshells

  • Dairy

  • Pasta, Grains & Bread

  • Leftover and spoiled food

  • Cookies, Cake, & Candy

  • You can also include

    • Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags

    • Cut flowers

How to collect food scraps at home

The most popular and convenient option is to line a small, lidded container with your green bag and place it in your kitchen near where you prepare and store your food or next to your existing trash and recycling containers. There’s no right way to do this – find a method that works best for your household. You may already have a small container at home, such as an empty 5-gallon pail from kitty litter, paint, or ice melt.  You can also purchase a low-cost container at your local home or hardware store.

Other suggestions are to store food scraps scraps in a small, lidded container on your counter or under your sink, store in a lidded container in your garage, or store scraps in the bag or other container in your fridge or freezer.

The night before your collection day, check your fridge for any spoiled food and place into your green bag. Securely tie the green bag and place curbside with your trash bag for collection.

Check out our FAQs for more tips and suggestions for managing food scraps at home!

Pro-Tip:

Some households are using a 3-bin system in their kitchens to make it easier to sort trash, recycling, and food scraps at home. Check your local home wares store for options!

More Information

For more information, please contact the City of West Haven Department of Public Works

West Haven City Hall is open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm.

Contact

City of West Haven
355 Main Street
West Haven, CT 06516
203-937-3585

recycling@westhaven-ct.gov
www.cityofwesthaven.com