Beginning on April 2, 2018, the City of Cambridge is expanding its successful and popular curbside composting program citywide.
Eligible households in Cambridge will receive a postcard with more information by March 23, and free bins and bags, along with instructions, will be distributed in March & April.
The City has committed to expanding the current curbside compost program to all residential buildings with 1 to 12 units. This will increase the program from 5,200 households to 25,000 households (8,100 buildings).
Meeting our Goals
In 2009, Cambridge set a goal of reducing trash 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. To date, we have reduced trash by 23% by increasing recycling and through curbside, backyard, school and drop-off composting. With curbside compost, we expect to achieve our goal by 2019.
What can be Composted?
- All food scraps including meat and dairy
- Compostable paper including napkins and paper towels
- Cut flowers
Benefits of Composting
- Reduce climate change impact: Methane, a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, will be captured and used to produce clean energy.
- Grow more food: Byproduct from the composting process will be used to make nutrient-rich fertilizer for New England farmers.
- Manage rodents: Rodent-resistant curbside bins will help keep rodents out.
Composting by the Numbers
Want More Information?
For news, announcements and open house dates for the Curbside Compost Program roll-out, visit CambridgeMA.Gov/Compost or email us at: Recycle@CambridgeMA.Gov.
