ALACHUA COUNTY – Beginning Jan. 3, 2026, Alachua County residents will have a new option for reducing household waste as the county launches a year-long food waste collection pilot at its Rural Collection Centers.
The program, which will run through Dec. 31, 2026, allows residents to drop off food scraps for composting rather than sending them to the landfill. The initiative is a partnership between Alachua County and O-Town Compost and is funded through a Circular Economy Grant.
County officials say the pilot is designed to reduce landfill waste while creating a useful end product. Food waste collected through the program will be processed into compost that can be used by farmers, gardeners, landscapers, and other agricultural or land-use operations.
“Food waste makes up a significant portion of what ends up in landfills,” county officials noted in announcing the program. “By diverting that material into composting, the county can reduce environmental impacts while supporting local food and agricultural systems.”
The food waste drop-off will be available at all five of the county’s Rural Collection Centers:
- Alachua/High Springs — 16929 NW U.S. Highway 441
- Archer — 19401 SW Archer Road
- Fairbanks — 9920 NE Waldo Road
- North Central — 10714 N State Road 121
- Phifer — 11700 SE Hawthorne Road
All Rural Collection Centers are open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Alachua/High Springs location also offers additional hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The pilot program is limited to residential food waste and is intended as a test to evaluate participation levels, operational needs, and overall impact before any potential expansion. County officials will use data gathered during the year-long trial to determine whether the program should become permanent or be expanded to additional locations.
Residents seeking more information about the program can contact Patrick Irby with the Alachua County Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Department at 352-338-3233 or by email at pirby@alachuacounty.us.
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in a county program, service, or public meeting may contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least two business days in advance. TTY users may call 711 through the Florida Relay Service.
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email editor@
alachuatoday.com
ALACHUA COUNTY – Beginning Jan. 3, 2026, Alachua County residents will have a new option for reducing household waste as the county launches a year-long food waste collection pilot at its Rural Collection Centers.
The program, which will run through Dec. 31, 2026, allows residents to drop off food scraps for composting rather than sending them to the landfill. The initiative is a partnership between Alachua County and O-Town Compost and is funded through a Circular Economy Grant.
County officials say the pilot is designed to reduce landfill waste while creating a useful end product. Food waste collected through the program will be processed into compost that can be used by farmers, gardeners, landscapers, and other agricultural or land-use operations.
“Food waste makes up a significant portion of what ends up in landfills,” county officials noted in announcing the program. “By diverting that material into composting, the county can reduce environmental impacts while supporting local food and agricultural systems.”
The food waste drop-off will be available at all five of the county’s Rural Collection Centers:
- Alachua/High Springs — 16929 NW U.S. Highway 441
- Archer — 19401 SW Archer Road
- Fairbanks — 9920 NE Waldo Road
- North Central — 10714 N State Road 121
- Phifer — 11700 SE Hawthorne Road
All Rural Collection Centers are open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Alachua/High Springs location also offers additional hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The pilot program is limited to residential food waste and is intended as a test to evaluate participation levels, operational needs, and overall impact before any potential expansion. County officials will use data gathered during the year-long trial to determine whether the program should become permanent or be expanded to additional locations.
Residents seeking more information about the program can contact Patrick Irby with the Alachua County Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Department at 352-338-3233 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in a county program, service, or public meeting may contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least two business days in advance. TTY users may call 711 through the Florida Relay Service.
# # #
email editor@
alachuatoday.com