Free to Summit County Residents
Summit County residents can recycle their food scraps for free at four drop-off locations. Once you enroll, you’ll receive a code to access the food scrap bins. This code changes periodically to prevent trash dumping. You will be notified via email of code changes and program updates.
Call HC3 at 970-668-5703 with any questions or if you are interested in establishing a food scrap collection at your HOA or office.
Food Scrap Drop-off Locations
- Breckenridge: At the Breckenridge Recycling Center, 284 Coyne Valley Road. Google MAP
- Dillon: At Lord of the Mountains Church, accessed via Evergreen Road in Dillon. Google MAP
- Frisco: At the Frisco Recycling Center, 221 Peak One Blvd. Google MAP
- Silverthorne: At the Silverthorne Recycling Center located near the ball fields below the dam. Google MAP
Collection Buckets & Tips to Get Started
- Get a free collection bucket: request one
- Reduce waste with proper food storage
Collecting food scraps is an easy, important step in reducing our waste and carbon pollution. The compost generated from local food scraps creates a valuable amendment to nourish our soil. Ask Eartha: Why should I collect my food scraps?
Local Compost Made From Your Food Scraps
Food scraps are transported to the Summit County Resource Allocation Park (SCRAP), where they are combined with biosolids and wood chips from beetle-killed pine trees. In just 13 weeks, the mixture is transformed into compost, a valuable soil amendment. Compost not only adds nutrients to your lawn and garden, it helps the soil retain moisture, which is critical in our dry climate.
SCRAP’s local compost is the highest grade of compost governed by the Environmental Protection Agency, meaning it’s approved for all uses including herbs and vegetables. SCRAP also chooses to certify their product through the United States Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA), which has strict testing requirements. In short – it’s the good stuff.
Free compost samples are offered to all Food Scrap Program participants each spring. Compost can be purchased all other times of year by the bag or cubic yard. For detailed information about the High Country Compost product, please click here.