City of Deerfield Beach Launches Pilot Compost Program
Danielle Charbonneau
December 28, 2023
One hundred houses and five businesses are now taking part in a pilot compost program in the City of Deerfield Beach through March 2025. The USDA-funded community organic and food waste recycling and compost pilot program is designed to test strategies for the potential future implementation of a larger-scale compost program.
Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. The practice has been shown to provide a range of environmental benefits including improved soil health and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. landfills and trash incinerators receive 167 million tons of garbage, nearly a quarter of which is food scraps. When food scraps in the landfill decompose, they produce methane, a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 84 times more potent than CO2. Food waste in landfills is the third largest driver of methane in the nation and the world.
Alternatively, when food waste is converted into compost and applied to the land, it sequesters carbon, provides a soil amendment that helps prevent erosion and flooding, and supports growing healthy food.
The City of Deerfield Beach says the organic matter collected during its new pilot program will be processed into compost and redistributed in the community through events and partnerships with local community gardens.
To implement the program, the City has partnered with three different organizations. Filthy Organics is a service-disabled, veteran-owned, startup compost manufacturer and subscription-based curbside food scraps pickup service. Organics Recycling Foundation (ORF) is a 510c3 non-profit environmental corporation that promotes research and education around organic waste recycling. FLIPANY, a leader in educational programming and initiatives surrounding food, nutrition and agriculture in South Florida, will provide the educational programming aspect of the pilot program throughout Deerfield Beach.
Applications for both residential and commercial businesses to participate in the pilot compost program are still live online at deerfield-beach.com/1871/composting. For questions regarding the program, please email hsilverstone@dfb.city.
Deerfield Beach’s Collection Guidelines
- Follow the do’s and don’ts for what to, and not to, include in your organics collection container (see below).
- Provided compostable liners must be placed in the bucket prior to collecting any organic waste. Please do not use any other liners.
- Place your composting bucket out for collection by 7am on your collection day.
- Liners with food waste will be removed and any residue will be wiped from the buckets so they are clean. Replace the liner after each service.
- Extra compost waste that does not fit into your bucket will not be accepted. Any overflow material can be dropped off at the Recycling Drop-Off Center.
- Buckets will be inspected for excessive contamination. Participants with excessive contamination may receive a warning and/or skipped service. Continued contamination may result in removal from the program.
- Please report any missed collections at deerfieldbeach.stopsuite.com.
Products that CAN be Composted
Fruits & Veggies | Meat & Dairy |
Bread & Grains | Coffee, Filters, Tea & Teabags |
Leaves, Twigs & Wood Chips | Egg Shells |
Please remove all produce decals, stickers, rubber bands, twist ties, and anything that is not organic.
Products that CANNOT be Composted
Plastics | Glass | Food Service Ware & Styrofoam |
Aluminum | Fats, Oil & Grease | Disposable Cups |
Certified Compostable Products | Wine Corks | Pet Waste & Kitty Litter |
