Sustainability Spotlight - July 2026 - Composting

Food scraps and yard waste make up a significant portion of household trash, often close to a third of what the average household throws away. When that waste goes to a typical landfill, it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting offers an alternative to dispose of this waste. It lets organic material decompose aerobically to create a usable resource, rather than contributing to landfill emissions. The soil made from composting organic material creates a nutrient dense soil amendment that can be used to improve soil structure, retain moisture, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer. Wheat Ridge residents interested in composting have several options to participate, including a city-supported drop-off program to no-cost methods you could start today.

Sustainable Wheat Ridge has partnered with Scraps Mile High to provide a residential compost drop-off program. Scraps is a Denver metro composting service that offers both drop-off and pickup options for residents who don’t want to manage at-home composting. Residents can receive their first two months of service free of charge with the purchase of a Scraps starter kit using the code WRDROPOFF25, saving new members $42. Members can drop-off unlimited compostable material anytime at two locations: Wheat Ridge Recreation Center and Wheat Ridge City Hall. Members also have the option to purchase finished compost from Scraps each spring.

For residents who live in multi-unit housing, a condo or apartment building, Scraps also offers commercial composting that allows you to compost through your complex. Commercial composting is also available for restaurants, commercial kitchen or food production facilities, small retail or otherwise. So if you live, own, or work in any of these complexes or facilities, commercial membership is available.

Composting is also available at no-cost options for residents who want to start without committing to a monthly cost. If you have yard space, backyard composting is a free method that requires no equipment beyond what you might already have or can build low cost. Wheat Ridge Council Bill No. 22, Ordinance No. 1752 speaks to the dos and don'ts of composting in Wheat Ridge, with the main requirement mandating the prevention of compost pile buildup to prevent putrid odors and avoid attracting pests or wildlife.

There is no one correct method for composting and we encourage residents to look into which option works best for them. Sustainable What Ridge has partnered with the Scraps program as one option among several to remove barriers for residents who want to reduce their carbon footprint.