Fork `em Over! - Tompkins County | Solid Waste

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How do I collect food scraps from my kitchen?
Use compostable bags and kitchen caddies for collecting food scraps
from your home. Place full compostable bags in your green cart. Use only
compostable bags for collection to avoid contamination.
What can go in the green cart?
Fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy products, bread and grains can
be included for food scraps recycling. Soiled paper and compostable
disposables are also accepted. Please do not include diapers, glass, metal,
plastic, Styrofoam™ or yard waste.
Do I need to use compostable bags in my kitchen caddy?
No, but it is strongly encouraged to help make the collection process
clean, convenient and comfortable. If you prefer, you can line your kitchen
caddy with newspaper or a paper bag, which can be included in your
green cart also. Do not use plastic bags.
How do I get more compostable bags?
They are available free of charge at the Solid Waste Division Office at 122
Commercial Avenue or at the public drop-off area of the Recycling and
Solid Waste Center.
Will my green cart smell and attract animals?
No more than your regular trash. Placing your green cart at the curb each
week, whether it’s full or not, will help keep odors to a minimum and will
decrease materials that may attract wildlife.
Fork ‘em Over!
What do I do if my green cart isn’t collected on my designated
collection day?
Please contact Tompkins County Solid Waste Division if your green cart
has not been collected by noon on your collection day. It is important that
you notify us as soon as possible.
Where do my food scraps go?
Food scraps will be taken to Cayuga Compost in Trumansburg, where they
will be mixed with other organic materials to create compost.
Can I still use my home composting system?
Absolutely! Home composting should be considered as a first option
which produces a soil amendment for home gardens. Curbside food
scraps recycling provides residents the opportunity to compost more
materials, including meat, bones, dairy and compostable disposables.
Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division
(607) 273-6632 | recyclefood@tompkins-co.org
WELCOME TO
FOOD SCRAPS RECYCLING!
Congratulations on being chosen as a participant for Tompkins
County’s curbside food scraps recycling collection program!
IT’S AS EASY AS 1-2-3
1. Collect food scraps
and food soiled paper
in your kitchen caddy
(or small container).
Line the caddy with
a compostable bag
to keep it clean and
convenient.
2. Empty your kitchen
caddy into your green
cart. Empty the caddy
often to lessen odors.
3. Place your green cart
out at the curb weekly.
Do not place your
kitchen caddy at the
curb.
MAKE SURE TO:
Use the green cart for curbside collection.
Place your green cart at the curb the night before your scheduled
collection day, at least 2 feet from other recyclables you’re setting out.
Use only certified compostable bags for food scraps collection.
Keep yard waste out of your green cart.
Contact Tompkins County Solid Waste Division with questions
and comments at (607) 273-6632, www.recycletompkins.org or
recyclefood@tompkins-co.org
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Curbside collection will be one day late on
all holiday weeks as outlines in your Curbside
Recycling Guidelines
Fork ‘em Over!