Frequently Asked Questions

Why Compost?

Over 40 percent of all food ends up in landfills where it rots amongst other waste and emits methane. Methane is a toxic greenhouse gas 27 times more powerful than carbon. Composting turns this waste into nutrient-rich soil, which in turn helps to grow more food.

Sign up here! After sign up, a welcome email is sent to you with details about the program AND has the 4 digit code to access the bins at all five public elementary schools and the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library. Note that the community-wide program launches April 22.

Bins are located at all five public elementary schools and the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library. Please note: School parking lots are closed to resident car traffic on school days 8:45-9:15 am and 3-3:40 pm.

Boulevard Elementary School
14900 Drexmore Rd.

Fernway Elementary School
17420 Fernway Road

Lomond Elementary School
17917 Lomond Boulevard

Mercer Elementary School
23325 Wimbledon Rd.

Onaway Elementary School
3115 Woodbury Rd.

Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library

We encourage participants to use a reusable bucket or container with a lid to transport your food scrap to the drop site.

• Rust Belt Riders buckets are available to purchase at any Phoenix Coffee shop or at its downtown headquarters at 2701 St. Clair Avenue.  They are $12 and come with a lid.
• You are also welcome to use your own storage container!

Storage Tips

• Store your food scraps in a paper bag in the freezer until drop day to prevent odors from accumulating in your bucket.
• Or keep a 5-gallon bucket in one of the following places for food scrap storage between drops: kitchen, laundry room, garage, foyer, mud room, stairwell, or under the sink.
• Use a brown paper bag to line your bucket with for easier clean up after drop-off; the brown paper bag can go right into the composting bins along with the food scraps 
• However, scraps can be dropped directly into the bins if you prefer.
• Always use a reusable container to limit waste

Click here for a list of what is and is not compostable at the Rust Belt Riders website.

Tip: Download the Betterbin app for a free searchable database of what is allowed.

The bins are serviced weekly. Rust Belt Riders is the service provider.

Yes! Please email Rust Belt Riders and they can help get you transferred over.