Food Scrap Collection & Composting Program

The City in partnership with Rust Belt Riders offers a free, drop-off composting program for all residents of the Shaker Heights City School District. Participants can drop off accepted compostable waste, including all food scraps, at bins at six locations -- all five Shaker Heights public elementary schools and the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library. 

How it works

  1. Sign up for free online using Rust Belt Riders Shaker Heights' registration form found here. 
  2. You will receive a welcome email with your code and details about the program, including what's accepted.
  3. Collect food scraps and other compostable waste at home. 
  4. Bring food scraps to one of the city's drop-off bins located at Shaker Main Library or all five public elementary schools.
  5. Unlock the bin with your unique code received during registration.
  6. Deposit your food waste in the bin and relock the bin.

Use your own bucket or purchase a 5-gallon bucket with lid from Rust Belt Riders at all Phoenix Coffee locations. You can use paper bags or BPI certified plastic bags but no regular plastic bags, please. 

What's compostable

If it's food, it can be composted through this program. This includes meat, seafood and dairy (bones and shells too). Paper items soiled with food and BPI certified plates and cutlery are also accepted. Visit rustbeltriders.com/whatcanicompost for a detailed list.

Graphic showing food and other waste accepted by Rust Belt Riders

Graphic showing items not accepted by Rust Belt Riders

Resident dropping off food scraps at a Rust Belt Riders bin at Lomond Elementary School


  1. Why should I compost?
  2. How do I access the bins?
  3. Where are the bins located?
  4. What should I store my food scraps in?
  5. What can I compost?
  6. Who services the bins? What's the schedule?
  7. I already use the Rust Belt Rider service. Can I switch to this program?
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