Office of Environment & Sustainability

In 2021, 31.1% (23,310 tons) of all Cincinnati waste was organic material, meaning it was made up of once living material, such as vegetable scrapes, leaves, sticks, and more. Of that 31.1%, 54% (12,592 tons) was considered food waste, and 46% (10, 718 tons) was considered yard trimmings. When these materials are sent to the landfill, they are buried underground where oxygen cannot reach them. When organic material begins to decompose without the presence of oxygen, it releases methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG) emission that contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the air. By expanding composting, Cincinnati can lead in reducing these organic materials from ending up in our landfills, decreasing GHG emissions and creating nutrient-rich soil. 

There are so many ways that you can get involved with composting for free. 

• Drop off your food scrapes at the Camp Washington Perennial Farm (3220 Colerain Ave, 24/7 access) 
  • Click HERE to see the list of accepted materials and submit a request to join the site   
  • After your request has been approved, join the site on MakeSoil and log your food scrap drop offs every time you visit the site 
  • Want to receive a free countertop compost bin? Once you have joined the site on MakeSoil, you can email your interest to oes@cincinnati-oh.gov 
• Download the MakeSoil app and check out who else is composting near you
  • To receive a free countertop compost bin, download Make Soil, join a soil site, and email your interest for a free compost bin to oes@cincinnati-oh.gov

• Set up composting at your school with Hamilton County R3Source

  • Recycle food scraps from school lunches and other organic material, like leaves and plant clippings, into nutrient-rich compost.

• Start your own compost in your backyard or in your community garden
  • Check out composting and training resources below

Queen City Commons 

Queen City Commons provides food scrap collection service to businesses and residents, and partners with local farms and gardens to turn that food scrap into compost. 

CompostNow 

CompostNow offers weekly and bi-weekly pick-up services at your doorstep, or drop-off stations in select communities. They also offer composting services for your office or small business, as well as a range of industries including offices, restaurants, coffee shops, event centers, and medical and higher education campuses. 

Findlay Market 

Findlay Market has expanded its composting program to allow community members to participate. Residents and market shoppers can rent a bucket from Findlay Market and drop off their food waste as part of the market’s Greening the Market Sustainability Program. 

• Less than 500 Sq. Feet
• More than 500 Sq. Feet

Common Orchard Project

Green Umbrella Volunteer Page

Civic Garden Center 

Tikkun Farm 

Gorman Heritage Farm

Cincinnati Parks Foundation

Civic Garden Center

• The Civic Garden Center's Compost Pro training is a six-part series open to anyone wanting to advance their composting skills and knowledge. The goal of the program is to build a composting knowledge base in the Cincinnati region.
• Signing up for the Hamilton County R3Source Newsletter will keep you updated on upcoming classes and trainings.

Hamilton County R3Source Backyard Composting Guide 

• With Hamilton County R3Source's Backyard Composting Guide, learn everything you need to know about different kinds of composting techniques.
• Signing up for the Hamilton County R3Source Newsletter will keep you updated on upcoming classes and trainings.

Institute for Local Self Reliance Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders Training

• The NSR Composter Training Program is a train-the-trainer program that prepares participants to establish and manage composting projects that both engage and serve their communities. Participants can then teach others, share lessons learned, start their own enterprises, and contribute to advancing local composting.
• Signing up for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Newsletter will keep you updated on upcoming classes and trainings.

Tikkun Farm

• Check out the Tikkun Farm Community Calendar of Events or their Instagram page for updates on composting trainings and events.