City Giving Away 500 Kitchen Compost Buckets to Encourage Food Scrap Recycling

Compost Bucket w City logo

September 27, 2021  — The City of Wilsonville is providing 500 free kitchen compost buckets to support residents who have an interest in recycling food scraps.

The Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Program is funding the giveaway of the durable compost buckets as well as educational workshops that illustrate the benefits of recycling and composting.

Kitchen compost buckets make it easy to collect food scraps for composting. Toss food scraps in the bucket and — when the bucket is full — deposit scraps in your Republic Services yard debris bin for curbside removal.

The 1.3-gallon buckets are made of high-quality carbon steel that does not rust, stain or retain odors. They are dishwasher safe and conveniently-sized to keep on the countertop or under the sink. A light-lock lid and two activated-charcoal filters help trap and absorb odors.

Food waste represents about 20 percent of materials sent to landfills, according to Metro. As this food decomposes, it creates methane, a powerful contributor to climate change. Recycling food scraps helps the climate and also keeps harmful grease, fats and oils out of garbage disposals to give our sewer system a break.

Where to Get a Compost Bucket

Wilsonville residents may pick up a compost bucket by showing proof of residency (such as a utility bill); there is a limit of one bucket per household.

  • Beginning on Monday, Oct. 11, buckets may be picked up any weekday, 8 am-5 pm, at the Wilsonville Community Center (7965 SW Wilsonville Rd.) and the Parks & Recreation Admin. Building in Town Center Park (29600 Park Pl.) until the supply is exhausted.
  • Compost buckets are also available at the Fall Harvest Festival at Memorial Park on Oct. 16.
  • Compost buckets are available at the Wilsonville Library on the following dates:
    • Oct. 14, 10 am-3 pm
    • Oct. 23, 2-5 pm.  

Also, on Oct. 14, at 10:30 am, join us for the Library’s compost-themed Storytime at the Stein-Boozier Barn.

Composting Classes

Wilsonville Parks & Recreation is inviting residents to attend free educational workshops and classes on composting, recycling, and sustainability. Virtual classes are scheduled Oct. 9 and Oct. 23.

Additionally, interested parties can visit the Wilsonville Community Center to attend a ‘Vermicomposting 101’ class on Oct. 9. Participants of the Vermicomposting class will receive their own worm bin, along with a compost bucket. Pre-registration is required.

To view the full schedule of educational workshops and classes, please visit WilsonvilleParksandRec.com/Compost

For more information, contact Erica Behler, Recreation Coordinator, at 503-570-1525, or behler@ci.wilsonville.or.us.

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