How-to compost at the Westside dropoff station

(Read all the way to the bottom to get the access code!)

First things first, familiarize yourself with what’s compostable. Share this information with everyone in your household.

Can+I+Compost+This.jpg

Next, find yourself a vessel that’s sealable and reusable to start collecting compostables in your kitchen. You probably have something suitable on-hand, like tupperware, an oatmeal tin, protein powder container, salad container, etc. Get creative! If you’re inclined to buy new, we recommend this one from Conscious Living, a sustainable home goods shop in Old Colorado City.

  • To maximize cleanliness, consider lining your vessel with a certified compostable or paper bag. We accept both kinds, but prefer paper since it’s cheaper, more sustainable and breaks down better in the composting process. While compostable bags are accepted, compostable dishware (like takeout containers, cups, etc.) is NOT.

  • To control odor, store your scraps in the freezer between visits to the dropoff. You can also coat your scraps with bokashi flakes, available for order through your account dashboard, to stave off rotting.

Ok, so you’ve filled your vessel and you’re ready to dropoff. Soil Cycle’s Westside station is located on the south side of Platte Ave between 16th and 17th. Visit any day; any time.

The dropoff station is built right into the fence bordering the Westside Community Garden where neighbors work together and learn to grow food. Soil Cycle collaborates with gardeners to transform food scraps into compost that’s applied to beds twice a year to boost soil fertility. The Westside gardeners, who range from old hands to newbies, cooperate to produce an astounding quantity of nutrient-dense food from that soil — truly a model of neighborhood food security that the whole city should note. (They accept new members at the start of each year!)

WCG.jpg
farm stand.jpg

Alright, so you found the dropoff station. Here’s how to dropoff:

  • Unlock the gates using code provided in the welcome email

  • Grab a disinfectant wipe (provided) and hold it as you…

  • Lift the lid and dump your scraps. Compostable or paper bags can go in too but we ask that you empty their contents and toss the bag in separately to help us sort and mix the material properly on the composting end of things

  • Scoop bokashi flakes from the white bucket to scatter over the food scraps. Be generous with it!

  • Close lid, lock the gates, and sanitize every touch point with the wipe

WCG+Scrapdrop.jpg
402f3f4c-bc2d-4bda-a4c5-8ca4f5a35ea4.jpg

Ok, that’s pretty much how it works! Some final house-keeping:

  • Account info, billing and customer support can all be found by logging into your dashboard.

  • You’ll be notified by email about finished compost, as it becomes available.

  • Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch the magic of composting unfold.

  • Inspired to get involved? Volunteering to turn compost piles with Soil Cycle is a satisfying to way give back while getting a lil workout/nature break. Plus, you’re guaranteed to come away knowing a lot more about composting. Contact tanvi@coloradospringsfoodrescue.org

You did it!!! Thanks for taking the time to understand how the dropoff program works. The code to the Westside dropoff station is 416