The Town of Glastonbury offers a residential food waste collection and recycling program that goes beyond backyard composting!

ALL food scraps are accepted through this program including:

• fruits and vegetables
• meat, fish, and dairy
• bread, rice, and pastas
• raw and cooked foods
• plants, napkins, paper towels, and parchment paper

Through a partnership with Quantum Biopower, All Waste, and Blue Earth, recycled materials are brought to an anaerobic digester where they are converted into clean energy and soil!

Refuse permits and Glastonbury residency are required for participation in this program.

How do I participate?

Designated food waste collection containers are available at the Transfer Station as well as a Satellite container, located behind Town Hall.

Step 1: Collect food scraps

• Collect acceptable food scraps & paper products in a countertop pail, using BPI Certified compostable bags.
• Remove ALL stickers/non-food material before disposing - e.g. labels/stickers from peels and rinds - to ensure food waste can be processed. 

Step 2: Store, Transport, and Deposit

• Store food scraps in a storage and transportation bin.
• Bring your storage and transportation bin to the Transfer Station (TS) or Satellite site (located behind Town Hall), and deposit in the designated container. (Refuse permits required at TS.)  

Step 3: Rinse and Repeat

• Clean your scraps container and begin collecting food scraps again.

Food Scrap Recycling Pledge

If you are willing to help reduce our waste by recycling food materials, please indicate your commitment by Taking the Food Scrap Recycling Pledge here!

Residents who pledge their commitment to recycling food scraps may obtain a FREE food recycling "starter kit" through the Town's temporary program. Beginning Saturday, April 1, 2023, these kits will be available on a first come, first served basis at the Sanitation office, Customer Service Center in Town Hall, Transfer Station, and Bulky Waste Facility. Please complete the pledge through the link above before retrieving your kit. Kits may be picked up at the aforementioned locations during regular operating hours from April 1st forward.

For more details about the pledge, or the food recycling process, please contact the Sanitation office at (860) 652-7772 or sanitationclerk@glastonbury-ct.gov. 

Residential Food Waste Pick-Up 

Blue Earth Inc., (located at 18 Midland Street, Hartford), is permitted to offer food waste pick-up at a resident's expense within the town of Glastonbury. If you wish to engage this vendor, please contact Blue Earth directly at (860) 266-7346 or info@blueearthcompost.com for program details and related costs.

Contact Information

For timely updates regarding the food waste collection program, or all Town refuse/recycling programs, please subscribe to the Town's eNotification system and select the "Waste and Recycling" category under the News and Calendar headings, or follow us on Facebook.

Fun Facts

Within the first year, the Satellite Food Waste Drop-Off Site has composted 40,310 lbs. of waste!