Welcome to the South Suburban Compost Program, part of SSC’s CHARM initiative!
We’re excited to offer residents and organizations in the South Suburban area a sustainable way to reduce waste and enrich soil through composting.
Why Compost?
Composting helps:
- Reduce landfill waste
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Improve soil health
- Support local sustainability efforts
How It Works
- Sign Up using the form below.
- Receive a Compost Starter Kit – the first 1,400 residents will receive free food scrap containers, and the first 100 schools, libraries, colleges, and nonprofits will receive food scrap carts.
- Drop Off Compostables at the CHaRM Center at South Suburban College (SSC), open every Tuesday and Thursday, and every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.
- Attend Workshops and learn best practices.
- Participate in Outreach – SSC students will lead community engagement as part of a paid zero-waste internship program.
What You Can Compost
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds and filters
Eggshells
Yard trimmings
Paper towels and napkins (unbleached)
Please avoid: meat, dairy, oils, and plastic.
Sign Up Now
If you’re ready to join the composting movement, please fill out the form below:
Note: You’ll receive updates, drop-off schedules, and workshop invites after signing up.
Compost Benefits & Distribution
All collected food scraps are sent to the Green Era for anaerobic digestion, producing nutrient-rich compost and renewable natural gas (RNG).
Compost is distributed to local urban farms, schools, and community gardens, helping improve soil health and food access.