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Compost and Organic Waste
Organic material includes food waste, compostable paper and certified compostable products, and yard waste. City of Aspen set goals to reduce organic material from the landfill by 25% by 2025 and by 100% by 2050. When buried, these materials generate a harmful greenhouse gas called methane.
There are a few options for residents who want to compost in Aspen.
1. You can drop off your organics in Aspen for free. To participate, please fill out this survey.
2. Contact a local provider to collect compost at your curb for a fee. There are two local providers:
3. Drive to Pitkin county solid waste center and drop it off for free.
If you need a collection receptacle here are some options:
- Pick up a free countertop compost container at City Hall on the first floor, 427 Rio Grande Place, Aspen.
- Pitkin County residents may pick up their free 6.5 gallon bucket at the Pitkin County Landfill.
- Paying customers receive a curbside bucket from their local compost collection provider.
A compostable material is a product made of renewable resources such as corn, bamboo, and sugar cane. They have the ability to break down under the right conditions.
When buying these types of materials always look for the BPI or ASTM D6400/D6868 certification. If they’re made of bamboo or they’re uncoated paper items, they don’t need to have this certification.
Be careful when buying compostable products online. Remember, these labels do not verify a product is compostable:
- Made from plants
- Biodegradable
- Eco-Friendly
- Green
- Bio
If you have any questions, please email waste@aspen.gov
You can bring non-perishable foods to Lift Up located at 0405 Castle Creek Road Ste. 206 Pitkin County Human Services Building. Please call to check their hours of operation: phone number 970-625-4496.
Contact a local food rescue service to donate non-expired foods.
- Harvest for Hunger
- Lift Up
- Pitkin County Resource Center
- Contact a local farmer to donate food waste for animal feed.