Form Center

2. Food Waste Drop-off Pilot

   Thank you for your interest! The Town of Bedford will soon launch a pilot program to allow residents to drop-off food waste at the Compost & Recycling Center, 108 Carlisle Rd, in designated containers. Once registered, you will be able to drop off household food waste and other compostable items. The material collected will be transported off site for decomposition by Black Earth Compost, Bedford's food waste partner.

   This program is time-limited. We expect to re-evaluate the program at the end of the fiscal year. Participants will be notified of any changes to the program, by email.

   To participate:

   1. Review acceptable items list. Even if you are very familiar with composting, in general, it is important that you understand what types of materials are allowed for this program. This program relies on users to keep contaminants to an absolute minimum. If issues with contaminants cannot be controlled, the program will end. 

   2. Answer all questions on the interest form and submit.

   3. Acceptance - You will be contacted by the Refuse & Recycling Administrator, at the provided email address, once you have been approved. The tentative start date for this program is early 2023. Space is limited and residents without backyard access or financial hardship will be given priority. If necessary, a waitlist will be maintained and residents will be approved on a rolling basis, as space allows.

   Please direct any questions to Liz Antanavica, Refuse & Recycling Administrator (781)275-7605 x4261 or by email. 

4. First Name
5. Last Name
7. Address
9. City
10. State
11. Zip Code
13. Email Address
15. Please describe why you are interested in this drop-off food waste program.
17. Do you have backyard access for composting? Are there any other barriers that prevent you from composting your food waste currently?
19. Check all the statements that are TRUE,

    1. Clean paper and cardboard are better recycled and should not be placed in the compost bin.
    2. We can compost paper/cardboard based items that are food soiled, but not chemical or cleaner soiled.
    3. Shredded paper is not accepted.
    4. Compostable diapers, cat and dog waste, or any material with bodily fluids are unacceptable items.
20. True or False: All single use compostable items (plastic, utensils, etc.) MUST be BPI, CMA or OK COMPOST certified compostable. All other "biodegradable" items should go in the trash.

    1. True
    2. False
22. How should I transport my food scraps from my house to the bin? Select all appropriate options.

    1. Carry them in a compostable bag and drop it all in the bin, bag and all.
    2. Bring them in a plastic bag and drop it all in the bin, bag and all.
    3. Transport them in a reusable container/tub/bucket and then reuse the container.
23. True or False: I can put yard waste (leaves, sticks, grass) in the Food Waste bins.

    1. True
    2. False
25. What type of residence do you live in?

    1. Single family
    2. Small multi-family (2-4 apartments/condos per building)
    3. Large multi-family (5+ apartments/condos per building)
26. How did you hear about this program?

    1. Direct mailing from the DPW
    2. The Bedford Citizen
    3. Town Website
    4. Word of Mouth
    5. I saw the bins
    6. Other/Not sure
28. Food Waste Drop-off User Agreement*
    -- Select One --I agree to the terms of this user agreement.

    1. I have reviewed the list of acceptable items.  

    2. I agree to deposit only acceptable items into the drop-off collection bins. 

    3. I will not deposit plastic bags or any other trash into the compost bin even if I use a plastic bag or other container to transport my food waste.

    4. I will use my best judgement and will not overfill the containers. I understand this is a community program and I should leave space for others to participate. 

    5. I agree to close the lid of the collection bin after dropping off my food scraps.

    6. By participating in the program, I agree to do my part to steward a successful outcome for the program by cleaning up anything that I spill outside the collection bins in order to not invite pest problems. 

    7. If the compost bins are full, I agree to take my food scraps home to avoid any dumping outside of the bin. The community bins are emptied on Tuesday.

    8. If a food compost bin is full, or I see violations of the community food compost drop off pilot agreement, I will notify TrashRecycling@bedfordma.gov

    9. I understand that this pilot program depends on my cooperation with this User Agreement. Any violation, such as placing the wrong items in the food drop-off collection bins, is a risk to the program's success and may lead to termination of the program.

Leave This Blank:


30. 1. Receive an email copy of this form.
31. Email address

    This field is not part of the form submission.

32. Submit

* indicates a required field