Food Waste Composting

How Can You Participate?

Gahanna residents can collect food waste at home and drop off the compostable materials at our conveniently located drop-off at Friendship Park (150 Oklahoma Ave.). These materials are dropped off into the GoZERO lime-green containers located near the restrooms on the east side of the parking lot. Plastic bags, grocery bags or trash bags should NOT be left in these containers. GoZERO empties and cleans these containers each week.

Although participation in the program is free, we are asking residents to register for the program to track interest and use. Please register online for this opportunity.

Funding for this Program

Thanks to the support of a grant from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), the City of Gahanna was able to partner with GoZERO Services, a food waste compost courier, to provide this program. 

Guidelines for Program

Residents can help to make Gahanna's composting program a success by discarding only approved compostable materials from appropriate containers or by using liners certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).

The use of compostable liners is encouraged, especially during summer months; however, it is important to use the correct type. GoZERO requires the use of BPI Certified Liners only. All liners must carry a "BPI compostable" mark.

Follow these guidelines to ensure only desired compost material is processed:

Accepted Materials (Food Waste Only)

  • Breads, grains, cereals and pastas
  • Coffee grounds
  • Dairy products including milk, yogurts and cheeses
  • Eggs including shells
  • Fruits and vegetables including beans, nuts, peels and cores
  • Meat
  • Sauces, condiments and syrups
  • Seasonings, herbs and spices
  • Small bones
  • Sweets and candies

Not Accepted

  • Electronics
  • Glass
  • Healthcare products and medical waste
  • Jars, wrappers, foil, bags, tubs, trays and other plastic or Styrofoam containers
  • Metal including cans and aluminum foil
  • Pet waste
  • Plastic bags and other non-compostable plastics including coatings and films
  • PLU/UPC stickers
  • Rubber bands, twine, twist ties or other bundling materials
  • Yard waste including leaves, wood and stone

Nearly one million pounds of food waste is landfilled in Franklin County every single day. Composting is one way to reduce food waste at home and at work, and is an important and critical step toward protecting our natural resources, reducing our reliance on the landfill and ensuring a greener tomorrow for generations to come.

In an effort to keep food out of the landfill and reclaiming it to be a resource for our community, SWACO and the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative have launched the #SaveMoreThanFood campaign to draw awareness around the impact of food waste on our community, economy and environment. Gahanna is a proud partner with SWACO on the #SaveMoreThanFood campaign. Visit the Save More Than Food website for more information on this initiative.