Juneteenth Closure & Recycling Notice (6/19/2026)
- City offices & most facilities are closed on June 19. Click here for exceptions.
- Recycling collection scheduled for June 19 will be collected as usual. Bulk pickup is unavailable.
Gaithersburg, MD
Home Main MenuCompost Drop-Off Sites
Composting is a vital sustainable practice. Diverting food waste from landfills reduces methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas—and produces nutrient-rich organic material that enhances soil structure, promotes plant growth, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, thereby protecting waterways from runoff pollution. Managing food waste locally is essential for a sustainable future.
The Department of Public Works offers City residents three convenient compost drop-off sites, accessible 24/7 and free of charge:
- Casey Community Center Site: Located near the waste containers behind the building. Signs direct you to the food drop-off area inside a wooden enclosure.
- Olde Towne Site: A new drop-off site in the parking lot at 205 Olde Towne Avenue.
- Rabbitt Road Site: Located at the Public Works facility next to the Oil & Antifreeze Recycling Area.
Compost Crew collects and processes the food waste from these drop-off sites. Each week, they replace the full bins with power-washed bins lined with compostable liners. Thank you for contributing to a greener Gaithersburg.
Acceptable Items
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Pasta, bread, cereal
- Eggshells
- Meat and dairy products
- Bones
- Coffee grounds, coffee filters, and tea bags
- Paper towels and paper towel rolls
- Soiled paper food packaging
- Pizza boxes
- Flour and sugar bags
- Paper plates
- Baking ingredients, herbs, spices
- Household plants including soil
- Items labeled BPI Certified Compostable
- Items labeled ASTM D6868 or D6400
Not Accepted
- PLASTIC (unless labeled compostable)
- Styrofoam meat trays
- Aluminum foil
- Candles, synthetic corks, gum
- Dental floss, Q-tips
- Dryer lint sheets
- Disposable mop sheets
- Vacuum cleaner bags
- Hair, pet fur, pet waste
- Dead animals (such as pets, roadkill, caught )
- Fireplace or BBQ ashes
- Recyclable materials
- Items labeled biodegradable
- Items labeled oxo-biodegradable
Only place acceptable food waste into the community compost bin. Compostable liners containing food items are acceptable if they are BPI or OMRI certified, but not required. If using another container to transfer food waste, empty the contents into the bin and do not leave the container at the site.