Keep food waste out of the landfill: Hillsborough County provides a way to compost food waste
What is composting?
Composting is the natural breakdown and mixing of organic materials, such as food scraps like banana peels and apple cores, and plants like tree branches and grass clippings, into a nutrient rich, soil-like material.
Why compost food scraps?
- Composting reduces the amount of organic waste sent to the County’s waste-to-energy facility and landfill, which extends the landfill’s lifespan, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions like methane which is about 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
- Composting turns food waste into a beneficial soil-building block that holds nutrients and water. Once all organics are broken down, finished compost can be added to garden beds or landscaping to build healthy soil.
Food Scrap Drop-Off Program: How to participate
County residents can bring household food scraps to a drop-off location at no cost. Finished compost from the program will be used in the community.
How to participate
- Confirm you are a Hillsborough County Solid Waste customer
- Enter your address and verify "Hillsborough County Solid Waste" is your service provider
- Complete and submit the sign-up form
- Review list of accepted materials
- Collect accepted materials and store at home
- Tip: use a sealed container and/or biodegradable bag
- Find a food scrap drop-off station and plan a visit during open hours below
- Check in with the location's attendant and show your state-issued photo ID with a Hillsborough County residential address
- Unlock the station using the lock code sent to your email address after signing up
- Open the station lid and place materials inside the drop-off station container
- Grab a biodegradable bag from inside the station for your next visit
- Close the lid and lock the station before leaving
Accepted materials for drop off
Tip: certain materials like meat and dairy cannot be composted at home, so drop off instead!
Locations
- South County Solid Waste Facility - 13000 U.S. Highway 41, Gibsonton, FL 33534
Hours
- Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Backyard composting workshops
Attend a composting workshop led by the Hillsborough County UF/IFAS Extension department to learn how to turn your food waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment at home. Find a composting workshop that fits your schedule on the Calendar of Events.
Registering and attending a workshop includes a presentation, compost bin, and kitchen bucket for each participating household.
Contact
Questions about reducing food waste? Email Recycling@HCFL.gov.