Allegheny County Community Composting Project

GET FREE COMPOSTING SUPPLIES

Residents of Braddock, North Braddock, Clairton, and Swissvale can sign up for Clean Air Council’s free community composting program.

Eligible participants can receive:

• Free outdoor compost bins
• Kitchen compost buckets
• Scales for measuring food scraps
• Pest wire
• Educational materials
• Workshops and hands-on support from Clean Air Council staff

Whether you want to compost at home, share a system with neighbors, or bring your food scraps to a community compost location, we can help you find an option that works for you.

Find the Composting Setup That Works Best for You

Clean Air Council offers several composting options to make participating manageable for households with different needs, living arrangements, and available space.

The program includes individual, shared, and community-based composting options so residents can participate in the way that works best for them.

Participants may choose an individual backyard bin, share a larger system with neighbors or other community members, or use one of our community compost drop-off locations.

Option 1: Individual Backyard Compost Bin

Best for: One household
Bin size: 82 gallons
Bin type: FreeGarden EARTH Compost Bin by Enviro World

This option is designed for individuals and families who want to compost at home using their own backyard system.

The FreeGarden EARTH bin is compact, enclosed, and beginner-friendly. Its enclosed design helps retain heat and moisture while keeping compost materials contained. When properly maintained, it can help food scraps and yard materials break down efficiently while minimizing pests and odors.

Participants selecting this option should have an appropriate outdoor location for the bin and plan to manage their own compost materials.

Option 2: Shared Compost Bin

Best for: Neighbors, small groups, community gardens, churches, apartment communities, or other shared spaces

Shared compost bins allow several households or community members to compost together at one convenient location.

These bins have a larger capacity than the individual backyard bin but use the same general enclosed composting system. Two sizes are available depending on the number of participating households.

Small Shared Compost Bin

Best for: Two to three households
Bin size: 160 gallons
Bin type: Tierra Garden Small Thermo King Composter

This option works well for a small group of neighbors, a multi-unit property, or another location where a few households can regularly contribute and help maintain the compost.

Large Shared Compost Bin

Best for: Five to six households
Bin size: 240 gallons
Bin type: Thermo King Large Capacity Composter

This option is intended for larger groups, community gardens, churches, apartment communities, and other shared spaces that expect to collect compostable materials from several households.

Groups interested in a shared bin should identify an appropriate host location and determine how participating households will contribute materials and help care for the compost system.

Option 3: Community Compost Drop-Off

Best for: Residents who cannot or do not want to maintain a compost bin at home

You do not need a backyard or your own outdoor compost bin to participate.

Residents may receive a free Clean Air Council kitchen bucket for collecting food scraps at home. Participants can then bring their collected materials to one of our participating community compost locations.

Current Community Compost Locations

• Around the Way Farm, Clairton
• Les Getz Park, Swissvale
• Swissvale Community Garden, Swissvale
• Braddock Youth Project Community Garden, Braddock
• General Sisters, Braddock

Participants will receive instructions about what materials each site accepts and how to use the drop-off location properly.

How the Program Works

Clean Air Council launched this three-year, EPA-funded community composting project in 2025.

The program helps residents begin composting at home while also supporting shared and community-based composting systems. Participants receive the supplies, educational resources, and ongoing assistance needed to compost successfully.

Clean Air Council also tracks the amount of food scraps and yard materials diverted from landfills through the program. This information helps us understand the impact community composting can have throughout Allegheny County.

Program Participation Requirements

To receive free composting materials through the program, participants must sign a participation agreement.

Participants agree to:

• Use their compost bin and/or kitchen bucket for food scraps and compostable yard materials for at least three years
• Track and weigh the compostable materials they collect during one assigned three-week period
• Use the scale and tracking materials provided by Clean Air Council, if needed
• Follow the program’s composting and site-use guidelines

Why Composting Matters

Food scraps and yard materials make up a significant portion of the waste sent to landfills. When these organic materials decompose in a landfill without sufficient oxygen, they contribute to methane emissions and other environmental problems.

The participating communities currently have limited access to municipal or private composting services. This program gives residents a free, local way to turn food scraps and yard materials into a useful resource.

Community composting can help:

• Keep food scraps and yard materials out of landfills
• Reduce harmful emissions
• Support healthier soil and gardens
• Return nutrients and organic matter to the soil
• Reduce strain on local waste-management systems
• Create opportunities for neighbors and community organizations to work together
• Support cleaner and more beautiful neighborhoods

Community Organizations and Partners

Local organizations, community gardens, churches, neighborhood groups, schools, and other community partners can also support the project.

Organizations may be able to:

• Host a shared compost bin or community drop-off site
• Host a composting workshop
• Distribute program information to residents
• Promote the program through social media, newsletters, or email lists
• Connect Clean Air Council with residents who would benefit from free composting materials
• Collaborate on future environmental education or community programming

Partnerships can be tailored to the needs, capacity, and interests of each organization.

Ready to Start Composting?

Complete our interest form to tell us where you live, which composting option interests you, and whether you would like additional information before choosing a setup.

A Clean Air Council staff member will follow up with more information about program eligibility, available materials, and next steps.