The City of Avondale Estates is pleased to announce the return of its popular free curbside composting program, thanks to the reinstatement of federal funding from a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant. Beginning in August, residents can once again participate in this sustainable initiative, which aims to reduce landfill waste and promote environmental stewardship throughout the community. 

Last year, the City was awarded $323,800 through a USDA Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreement to pilot curbside composting at city households in partnership with CompostNow, DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry, Food Well Alliance and Roots Down. The USDA grant funding for this 12-month pilot program provided households with a seven-gallon food scrap bin serviced weekly by CompostNow. In April, the City received word that all 2023 and 2024 grant programs were suspended for an executive review. The City’s program passed the review, resulting in funding being reinstated, enabling the pilot program to resume.

Compost pickup for the reinstated grant program will take place from August 5 through December 3.

Residents who previously participated in the program will receive communications from CompostNow this week about the return of service. Compost collection containers will be delivered to past participants the week of July 28th, and pickup will resume the week of August 4th.

Registration will open the first week of August for residents who did not initially participate in the program. Compost bins will be delivered to homes one week after registration. Residents may register starting August 4. Residents who previously participated do not need to reregister.

This fall, compost generated through the program will be distributed by Roots Down to local DeKalb County library gardens and orchards to support edible landscapes. In the spring, Food Well Alliance will distribute compost to local growers and farmers in DeKalb County.  

Learn more about the key takeaways and lessons learned from the program by viewing a webinar the City participated in with Commissioner Ted Terry and his office, CompostNow and Roots Down on July 21.