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Salem has launched a curbside composting incentive program in partnership with Black Earth Compost, a local full-service composting company. The next 150 Salem residents joining Black Earth Compost as new subscribers will receive a free, 13-gallon curbside composting bin, courtesy of the City of Salem.
Black Earth Compost accepts a variety of materials for curbside pick-up, including meat, bones, dairy, vegetables, and napkins. A full list of compostable materials can be found here.
Residents utilizing this service will receive a voucher for a cubic-foot bag of finished compost in the spring as well as discounts on bulk compost and soil blends.
“Diverting food waste from the trash and instead composting is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Waste Reduction Coordinator Janelle Rolke said.
Our goal is to grow the curbside compost program in Salem.
Once the City has over 1,000 subscriptions,
the weekly and bi-weekly cost for the
curbside compost program will decrease for each subscriber.
- Janelle Rolke, Waste Reduction Coordinator
“I am very pleased that we’re able to offer this incentive program to encourage more curbside composting,” said Mayor Pangallo, “We’re working to minimize our solid waste tonnage and diverting food waste is a critical part of that effort. Not only is it better for the environment but by lessening our trash tonnage we can mitigate increases in disposal costs.
If you’re looking for a great gift idea for the holidays
or want to make a thoughtful resolution for the new year,
signing up for our curbside composting program
is an easy way to make a positive difference.
- Mayor Dominick Pangallo
To enroll in the curbside compost program and receive your FREE 13-gallon bin, please visit:
Curbside Collection | Black Earth Compost
The current pricing for the program is $114.99 a year for weekly pick-ups, $89.99 a year for pick-ups every other week pick-up.
(As of 12/12/2023 there are 901 subscriptions in Salem! We have 99 to go until the cost for everyone decreases!) If you are already subscribed, refer friends & neighbors and receive a $5 discount!
In addition to curbside collection, Salem residents have other options to divert food scraps from the waste stream. A free compost drop-off station at Mack Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so residents can drop off their food waste at a time that is convenient for them. The City is also working to identify additional sites for public composting drop-off.
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