Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal

Backyard Composting - Links

How do I sign up ?


​This service is currently only available in the City of Athens, The Plains, Nelsonville, and Chauncey. If you live in or close to these areas (or you business is ) fill out the form below. 

  • 26 million tons generated annually
  • 3rd largest segment of the waste stream
  • Comprises 90% of Restaurants and Supermarkets waste stream
  • A typical household generates up to 475 pounds per year. 
  • Backyard composting or participation in a compost collection service can help to prevent food waste going to the landfill. ​

AHRC's Compost Facility

Quick Facts about Food Waste

How does this service work?


Residences and businesses can sign up for compost material collection. Please refer to the service levels described to the left. 


AHRC provides 5-gallon and 35-gallon containers to collect food waste for residential and commercial customers, where we collect the material from your location each week.


We also offer a drop-off location at AHRC's compost facility at 5991 Industrial Drive.



Service Levels


​Individual Household or Business

  • Residential Weekly Pickup, $25.40 per month, The Plains, Nelsonville, Chauncey, Athens Township
  • Business Weekly Pickup, $27.68 per month, The Plains, Nelsonville, Chauncey, Athens Township
  • See signup sheet below more options and pricing


Drop-Off at 5991 Industrial Drive, Athens Ohio

  • Individuals can drop off for free if they already have an AHRC Organics green bucket
  • Businesses and other organizations must contact us to learn more about pricing for bulk drop offs of compostable materials 




We take BPI-certified compostable materials at our facility. Utilize the database below to see if your cup, plate, bowl, or other service ware is BPI certified!

What does the food waste turn into?


Food Waste is mixed, collected, and brought to AHRC's compost facility at 5991 Industrial Drive, Athens, Ohio. It is mixed with other woody (wood chips) and non-woody (leaves, grass clippings) organic matter until a certain volume is reached. Once the desired volume (40-60 cubic yards) is reached, the mix is put in a bin for the first stage of the process (see bins in the background of the picture at the top of this page). After one month, it is turned by placing it in the next bin. This turning introduces more oxygen and assures proper mixing of the material. After another month in the second bin, the materials are ready to be removed from the bin and are ready for screening (see Instagram video). Both bins have a blower system which also helps aerate the materials. Once the organic material is screened to remove larger size pieces, it can be sold as a soil amendment or combined with other materials to create different soil mixtures for various purposes. 

Screening one of the final products. #AHRC #AHRCorganics #compost #zeroeaste #foodwaste

A video posted by Athens-Hocking Recycling (@ahrecycling) on

Service Collection Area Include


Chauncey, The Plains, Nelsonville, and surrounding areas.