DFB Compost

DFB Compost is a USDA-funded community organics and food waste recycling and compost pilot program. This pilot will develop and test strategies for potential future implementation of a large-scale compost program. In this pilot, we are collecting and recycling food scraps and some other organic materials. 

This program includes subscription front porch organics and food waste recycling services to a sample of 100 residences and 5 businesses, as well as some community drop-off opportunities. The material collected is being processed into compost and redistributed in the community through events and partnerships with local community gardens.

Explore below for more program information.

If you have questions or issues, send us an email!

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Want to sign up?

DFB Compost provides free weekly food waste collection services from October 2023 through March 2025. 100 residences and 5 businesses have been selected to participate in the program.

The residential program is currently FULL. Any new applications will be placed on our waitlist.

Are you a business looking to recycle your food waste? We want you! Apply below!

You can also sign up directly with our compost service provider, Filthy Organics or bring your food waste to the Recycling Drop-Off Center.

Program Benefits

  • Participants in the DFB Compost program will receive compost every six months, which can be used in gardens, as topsoil, or as fertilizer, saving money and supporting healthy plant growth.
  • Recycling food waste has many environmental benefits including reducing waste going to the landfill, recycling valuable organic material, and reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Businesses that participate in DFB Compost will be diverting waste away from the landfill and may have the opportunity to adjust or reduce their garbage collection service.

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Collection Guidelines

  • Follow the Do’s and Don’ts for what to and not to include in your organics collection container.
  • 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 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. 
  • Did we miss your bucket? Report missed collections at deerfieldbeach.stopsuite.com.

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Do's & Don'ts

Accepted Food Waste

fruits & veggies

Fruits & Veggies

meat & dairyMeat & Dairy

bread & grains Bread & Grains

coffee & teabags  Coffee & Teabags

egg shells Egg Shells

Remove ALL produce decals, stickers, rubber bands, twist ties, and anything that is NOT organic.

No

PlasticsGlassFood Service Ware & Styrofoam
AluminumFats, Oil & GreaseDisposable Cups
Certified Compostable ProductsWine CorksPet Waste & Kitty Litter

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What is Composting?

Composting is a natural process that turns organic material, such as food scraps, into a dark, rich substance. This substance, called compost, improves biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of soil. It also protects against soil desertification, soil erosion, enhances plant disease suppression, and reduces the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

Why Compost?

Every year, U.S. landfills and trash incinerators receive 167 million tons of garbage and nearly 1/4 of it is food scraps. Food scraps in the landfill decompose anaerobically, producing methane. 

Food waste in landfills is the third largest driver of methane in the US and the world (US EPA), a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 84x more potent than CO2. But when converted into compost and applied to the land, compost sequesters carbon, provides a soil amendment that helps prevent erosion and flooding, and supports growing healthy food! 

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DFB Compost Workshops

TBD

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Program Partners

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Filthy Organics

Filthy Organics is a service-disabled, veteran-owned, small business startup compost manufacturer and subscription-based curbside food scraps pickup service for homes, events & businesses of Broward and Palm Beach County. They strive to inspire & empower our community to use sustainable practices that help mend the food cycle -- diverting food scraps from landfills and incinerators, and reducing the powerful climate impact of greenhouse gases from wasted food. 

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Organics Recycling Foundation

The ORF, a 510c3 non-profit environmental corporation, promotes research and education around organic waste recycling for the benefit of our environment and economy. Chief among their efforts is working with municipalities, green teams, food waste generators and more to teach why food waste reduction and recycling is important, how to do it and what to do when you have obstacles to starting a program. 

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FLIPANY

FLIPANY is a leader in educational programming and initiatives surrounding food, nutrition, and agriculture in South Florida. As a program partner, they will provide educational programming related to composting, food waste recovery and nutrition education throughout the Deerfield Beach Community. FLIPANY will also utilize compost generated through the project as an educational tool in support of its current school and community garden initiatives including its current USDA-funded Farm to School Grant in Deerfield Beach.