Buffalo Expands Scrap It! Curbside Compost Program

The city is adding more than 400 households to its voluntary curbside collection initiative.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Organic Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a compost bin on a concrete curb, representing sustainable city waste management. — Buffalo is expanding its Scrap It! curbside compost program, adding over 400 households to the voluntary waste diversion initiative this year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Buffalo is expanding its Scrap It! Curbside compost collection program to accommodate more residents. The initiative aims to reduce the volume of organic waste sent to local landfills.

Why it matters

Expanding the program helps the city cut down on landfill use by diverting organic matter. This effort is part of a larger push to manage city waste more sustainably.

The program targets 10,000 total residents over the next five years, with a goal of diverting more than 6,000 tons of organic matter from landfills. Currently, 500 households are on the waiting list for the voluntary service.

The details

The city originally launched the program as a drop-off initiative in 2018 before moving to curbside collection for 2,000 households in 2023. Participation remains voluntary and follows a first-come, first-served registration process.

2018: Program started as a compost drop-off initiative.
2023: City began curbside collection for 2,000 households.
Coming weeks: More than 400 households will be added to the program.
Next five years: The city aims to serve 10,000 residents.

Culture Shift

Buffalo's expansion follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's food waste diversion initiatives by prioritizing local organic waste reduction. This shift mirrors a broader transition toward sustainable municipal waste management strategies across urban centers.

Residents currently on the waiting list should prepare for notification of their enrollment in the coming weeks. Those interested in future participation must register on a first-come, first-served basis as capacity increases.

The takeaway

Composting provides a practical way for households to lower their individual contributions to landfill waste. Residents can improve their impact by ensuring only accepted organic materials are placed in their curbside bins.