Compost Bin Day is open to New Bedford and Dartmouth residents and is organized by the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District. *This event will take place at the City of New Bedford Wastewater Treatment Facility in the far south end of New Bedford.* Backyard compost bins will be available at a reduced cost for New Bedford and Dartmouth residents looking to divert food waste from the trash. Composting turns fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment.
On Compost Bin Day, New Bedford and Dartmouth residents who purchase, or previously purchased, a backyard compost bin will be eligible for the following:
- A free 2-gallon plastic Sure-Close kitchen counter bin while supplies last.
- A chance to win a free 1.3-gallon stainless steel kitchen counter bin. Four bins will be randomly given out at each Compost Bin Day.
The kitchen counter bins are used to collect food waste such as banana peels and apple cores. When full, empty it into your backyard compost bin. Kitchen counter bins are only available on Compost Bin Days and while supplies last.
Below are the details about participating in the event:
- City of New Bedford Wastewater Treatment Facility, 1000 S. Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, in Fort Taber Park.
- Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 12:00 - 5:30 p.m. by appointment only.
- New Bedford and Dartmouth residents only, ID required.
- Sign up is required. To select a time slot, please visit
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAFA622A0FBC52-57554354-compost#/. Arrive as close to your time slot as possible. Deadline for sign up: August 8, 2025. No walk-ins.
- New Age Composter and Earth Machine for sale. Both types of backyard compost bins cost $25 each. Cash, check, or money order only. No credit or debit cards. To help determine which compost bin to purchase, visit Earth-Machine-and-New-Age-Composter-Comparison.pdf. The cost of each backyard compost bin is subsidized by the two communities to encourage backyard composting and food waste diversion.
There will be an opportunity to see each type of compost bin set up and to ask questions about the two compost bins and how to compost at home.
Also, the Refuse District sells compost bins year-round at the Crapo Hill Landfill. The hours are Monday through Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
If a resident is interested in purchasing a compost bin, but does not have transportation, please contact the Refuse District at (508) 979-1493 to ask about delivery options.
Questions? Email
bWFyaXNzYSB8IGduYnJybWRpc3RyaWN0ICEgb3Jn, call (508) 979-1493 or text (774) 503-0254. For more information about backyard composting, please visit gnbrrmdistrict.org/food-waste-composting/backyard-composting/.
