Drop in the Bucket (DitB) Composting Program
BEC, community partners, and dedicated volunteers collect household food waste and compost it at our community garden for gardeners and DitB participants to use.
Our DitB program regularly diverts over 1,500 lbs of food waste each month.
By keeping this waste out of the landfill, we are cutting back on our methane emissions and promoting a circular food loop. Through these efforts, we hope to encourage sustainability in our community, provide nutrient-rich compost to gardens, and reduce the amount of waste going into the landfill.
Want to support us? Click HERE to sign up for the drop in the bucket program! Click HERE to make a donation to the drop in the bucket program. Reach out to Sustainability@becnet.org with additional questions.
We want to hear from you!
For more information on community composting and local composting resources, reach out to sustainability@becnet.org.
Fill out the 3-5 minute Community Composting Accessibility survey to help BEC grow the DitB Program to meet community needs and keep compost local and alive:
Click Here to Take the Survey
FAQS
What can be composted in my bucket?
We focus on household food scraps, mainly fruits and vegetables. Coffee grounds, tea bags, and grains are also accepted.
We do not accept meat or dairy products, plastic and packaging, or hazardous waste. We ask that you limit the amount of cooked foods and breads.
Paper products that are not bleached or saturated with ink can be accepted in small quantities. In addition, organic compounds like hair and dryer lint can be composted as well.
Can I bring my own food waste to the compost?
Yes! If you would like to bring your bucket to the garden on your own, we can arrange that. Just fill out our registration form, and we will contact you shortly thereafter.
When do pickups occur?
Pickups in the Chico area happen weekly on Monday between 8am and 8pm. We ask residents to leave their buckets out in a visible and accessible place during this time.
Is there a fee for the service?
BEC is a nonprofit, so we do not ask for payment. However, donations can be made online that go back to running this program.
Donation Link: bit.ly/drop-it-bucket
What if I miss my pickup?
We understand that life happens! If you missed a pickup and need one urgently, email sustainability@becnet.org and we can get one scheduled for you. Additionally, if you know you won’t need a pickup on a Monday, please let sustainability@becnet.org know ahead of time.