Norwalk Food Scrapping Guide

Here’s How To Do It:

  1. COLLECT your food scraps at home in a pail or other container. Although not required, you may line your pail or other container with a BPI certified Compostable Bag but NOT a Plastic Bag.
  2. TRANSFER food scraps into a larger pail or bucket with a cover for weekly storage. It is recommended that food storage bins be kept indoors – either in the house or in the garage.
  3. BRING your food scraps in a pail or bucket to the Rowayton Community Center to dispose of your food scraps. Food scraps can be transferred into the drop-off bins either in a BPI certified compostable bag or simply unbagged.

All material collected will be brought to a commercial composting facility where it will be turned into compost.

Drop-off Location and Hours:

  • The Food Scrap Recycling drop-off bins are located at the Rowayton Community Center (33 Highland Ave.), behind the library and across from the equipment garage.
  • Drop-offs can be made Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.
  • There is no charge to drop off food scraps.

Accepted Items:

  • ALL FOOD, including:
    • Fruits and Vegetables (remove stickers, bands, ties)
    • Meat and Poultry (bones ok)
    • Fish and Shellfish (shells ok)
    • Dairy Products
    • Bread and Pasta
    • Chips and Snacks
    • Nuts and Seeds
    • Leftover, Spoiled and Expired Food (cooked ok)
    • Coffee Grounds (paper filters ok)
  • Tea Bags (no staples)
  • Paper Towels and Napkins (white only ok; NOT soiled with cleaning supplies)
  • Cut Flowers
  • Compostable Bags – BPI Certified (NO PLASTIC BAGS)

Items Not Accepted:

  • Plastic bags, plastic packaging and wrappers are never allowed in the bins. Plastic does not biodegrade and therefore will contaminate the compost. Use only compostable bags or no bags.
  • Baby/Hand wipes are never allowed in the bins. They are synthetic, so do not biodegrade and will contaminate the compost.
  • Please NO PET WASTE!
  • If unsure about an item, please email us before putting it in the bin: Composting@NorwalkCT.org.

Additional Information:

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Norwalk will not sell the starter kits or compostable BPI bags
  • BPI certified Compostable Bags can be purchased at Whole Foods or online (Target, Amazon,etc.)
  • While this pandemic continues, use gloves to open the drop-off bins.
  • It is important to maintain physical distance between you and fellow citizens while dropping off your food waste

QUESTIONS? Please email Composting@NorwalkCT.org