Composting

The City of Coral Springs offers free drop-off food waste disposal services for residents. The Compost Coral Springs program aims to manage resources sustainably by reducing food waste, diverting organic material from landfills and incinerators, and providing finished compost to participating residents.

What is composting?

Composting is the process of naturally decomposing organic materials, such as food scraps and yard clippings. The resulting “compost” is a nutrient-dense soil amendment.

Composting sustainably diverts waste from incinerators and landfills, many of which in South Florida are reaching capacity. About 52% of municipal solid waste is material that could be composted. Composting also lowers greenhouse gas emissions: compostable wasted food is responsible for 58% of landfill methane emissions, and methane is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

How do I participate in the program?

To participate, you must be a Coral Springs resident.
Get a bucket with an airtight lid or any type of sealed container and use this to collect accepted materials at home.
Bring your ID and empty your bucket at the Waste Transfer Station every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each household may drop off a maximum of 5 gallons of material per week.
Sign-up for compost-related communications by completing this form.
Pick up finished compost twice per year at the Waste Transfer Station.

*Items may not be bagged. “Biodegradable” and “Certified Compostable” materials, bags, and liners are not accepted.

Which items can I include in my compost bucket?

Yes	No
All Food Fruit - all parts Vegetables - all parts Meat, Fish, Chicken Dairy Bones Eggshells Coffee Grounds Coffee Filters Tea Bags - remove staples Paper Towels - no cleaning chemicals Uncoated Paper Brown Paper Bags Plant Debris*	Produce Stickers All Plastics Plastics, Liners, Bags labeled as “Biodegradable” Products labeled as “Certified Compostable” Tea Bag Staples Manure Pet Waste and Kitty Litter Fats, Oil, Grease** Wine Corks Chemicals Glossy Paper Waxed Cups Fabric Styrofoam Metal Glass

*Only 5 gallons of plant debris allowed per person per drop-off. No palm fronds, twigs, branches or plant material with thorns accepted.

**It is OK to compost food items that have been cooked in fats, oils, and grease. Please do not directly dispose of these liquids in compost bins.

Upcoming Compost Workshops

Learn more

FAQ

What happens after I drop off my food scraps? Where does the material go?

Food scraps and organic material are delivered to Filthy Organics, a local composting company.
The finished compost is then distributed twice per year to program participants.

When do I get compost back?

Please see full program guidelines under the tab above: “How do I participate in the program?”

How can I avoid smells and reduce the risk of pests?

Use an air-tight, fully sealed container.
If using a counter-top container, ensure you are frequently emptying it into an airtight container. Keep your containers clean. Frequently wash your kitchenette and collections bucket.
Consider freezing odorous food scraps like meat, poultry and fish until you drop off at the Waste Transfer Station.
Adjust the level of wet and dry material. Reduce moisture by increasing dry material (e.g., shredded paper, paper egg carton, bread).
Line your kitchen bucket with a paper bag, newspaper, or BPI-certified compostable bag.
Wrap food scraps in a paper towel or newspaper to absorb moisture and manage odors.
As a last resort, consider sprinkling a dash of baking soda inside of your compost bucket and kitchen collector to neutralize smells. Use sparingly — excess amounts can negatively affect the health of the compost.

Can I compost non-food items with the labels: “compostable,” “biodegradable,” “made from plants?”

No. Please follow the approved list of items.
These labels are well-intentioned but not always accurate and make it harder for our local compost facility to produce clean, nutrient-rich compost.

Can I use a compostable liner/bag for my compost bin?

To avoid contamination, we prefer not to use any liners. However, BPI-certified liners such as BioBag are accepted.
Please verify that the product is BPI-certified and contains this logo:
The BPI Certification mark indicates third-party verification and ensures a clean compost product.

Can I spray pesticides in the bin to avoid fruit flies?

No. Pesticides reduce the compost fertility and soil health benefits.
Organic peppermint spray is an acceptable alternative that does not hurt the compost.

How do I get a composting kit/replace my bucket? Can I get a new bucket?

The City of Coral Springs began Compost Workshops in 2025. At-home organics collection kits were distributed at several introductory workshops. No replacements are provided.
All Coral Springs residents may participate in the drop-off program and use any type of air-tight container to collect material at home.
Attending a workshop is educational and not required to participate in the program.

What about curbside pickup and backyard composting?

Coral Springs offers free, organics drop-off service and compost give-backs for residents.
Curbside organics collection services are not provided by the City. Independent, non-affiliated curbside collection services may be available from local composting companies.
The City highly encourages residents to participate in sustainable practices at home, including backyard composting. Please abide by the local code of ordinances to avoid any odor, pest, or visual nuisance.