FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2026

From Scraps to Impact: How Bedford Is Diverting Over 222,000 Pounds of Food Waste Each Year—One Small Change at a Time

Bedford, MA – Small actions taken at home can lead to big results for the entire community. In Bedford, hundreds of residents are proving that separating food scraps from the trash is a simple change that delivers powerful environmental benefits.

Through composting, Bedford households are reducing the amount of waste sent for incineration and transforming food scraps into a valuable resource. The Town of Bedford Department of Public Works (DPW) offers several programs to make participation easy, affordable, and accessible for all residents.

Curbside Composting: A Simple Change with Big Results

Bedford’s curbside food waste collection program is offered through a public-private partnership with Black Earth Compost, made possible by a generous grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

Since the program launched on December 1, 2025, 60 new households have joined—bringing Bedford’s total to 433 participating households. On average, each household diverts 9.51 pounds of food waste from the trash. Together, Bedford residents are keeping an impressive 214,127 pounds of food waste out of the incinerator every year! 

And this is just the beginning. DPW’s goal is to reach 1,000 households, doubling Bedford’s collective impact.

Why Join?

Participating in curbside composting is easy and rewarding

• Weekly or bi-weekly curbside pickup of food scraps for less than the cost of 1 weekly overflow trash bag
• Free starter kit from DPW, including a curbside bin, countertop kitchen bin, and compostable liners
• $20 annual utility rebate for households that subscribe to the service

Every banana peel, coffee filter, and leftover meal adds up. When one household composts, it matters—but when hundreds do, the results are transformative. 

👉 Be part of the movement. Sign up for curbside service at: www.blackearthcompost.com

More Ways to Make an Impact

Curbside service isn’t the only option for diverting your food waste from the trash. DPW offers additional programs to meet residents where they are:

• Free food waste drop-off at the Bedford Recycling Center (BRC). Simply pre-register on the Town website so DPW can ensure there is space for everyone. 
• Subsidized backyard compost bins available for purchase at the DPW Building, 314 Great Road. $45 each. 

No matter the method, every pound of food waste diverted helps reduce trash volume and supports a more sustainable Bedford.

Call to Action

Give composting a try for just one month. That’s thirty days to see if sorting your food from the trash is worthwhile. 

It’s as easy as visiting www.blackearthcompost.com to select the month-to-month option - DPW will deliver your starter kit within 1-2 business days - and then scraping your after dinner plate waste or morning coffee grounds into the free counter top container. Empty this indoor container as often as needed in the free wheeled cart meant to keep outside next to your trash cart. On trash day, wheel your carts to the curbside for convenient pickup. 

We think you’ll find that your trash cart is lighter and less smelly than before, sorting your food waste is easier than you thought and that your household really does generate enough food waste to make a difference. 

Give it a shot - Try composting for one month!

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Waste Composting

Is composting difficult?
Not at all. Most participants find that separating food scraps quickly becomes part of their daily routine, especially with a small countertop bin in the kitchen.

What food waste is accepted? What about other compostable items? 
If it once was alive - you can compost it! All food scraps can be composted, including fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, shells, dairy, bread, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Pet bedding from birds, guinea pigs or rabbits is also acceptable as well as hair and fur. Napkins and paper towels (without chemical cleaners) are accepted, too. See the full list here. 

Will composting smell or attract pests?
Properly used bins with tight-fitting lids minimize odors and pests. Using compostable liners and keeping bins closed helps, and many residents store food scraps in the freezer until pickup day. 

What happens to the food waste?
Food scraps collected at the curb are transported to Black Earth’s composting facility in Groton, MA where the material is processed and turned into nutrient-rich compost that improves soil and supports local agriculture.

One household’s choice to compost may seem small—but together, Bedford residents are proving that small changes add up to meaningful community-wide impact. DPW invites all residents to join the growing composting movement and help reach the next milestone.

From scraps to impact—your participation makes the difference.