Compost & Yard Debris

Cayuga Compost is proud to provide a food scrap processing service for local businesses and area residents. We divert the food scraps and yard waste from the waste stream and turn it into a high quality compost. We are not a collection facility, meaning we do not pick up your food scraps, however we do provide a residential drop off area. Tompkins County businesses can bring their materials to us at no charge. Out of county businesses can also bring us their food scraps, the tipping fee is $55.65/ton. With the growing concern for the environment and shrinking landfill space we welcome the opportunity to help you divert your food scraps.

Drop-off Residential Food Scraps

Tompkins County has many FREE drop-off locations for residential food scraps. See the Tompkins County Department of Recycling & Material Management  web site for drop-off locations and hours.

It’s easy!

  • Kitchen Caddy
    Collect your food scraps in your kitchen caddy. For added convenience, use a compostable bag. Kitchen caddies and compostable bags are available for free* at the Drop Spot locations.

  • 5-Gallon Bucket
    Empty your kitchen caddy into a 5-gallon bucket with a secure lid.

  • Drop-Off Tote
    Bring your bucket to a drop-off location below and place food scraps – compostable bag and all – into the tote. You may bring up to 10 gallons per day.

What’s Accepted?

  • Food Scraps

  • Bread, Grains, Beans, Legumes and Nuts

  • Tea Bags, Coffee Grounds and Filters

  • Compostable liners

  • Paper Towels & Napkins

  • Meat, Fish & Bones

  • Eggs & Dairy

  • Fruits & Vegetables

What’s Not Accepted?

  • No compostable forks, cups, spoons or knives (regardless if products say Compostable or Biodegradable)

  • No Paper plates, cups, etc.

  • Diapers

  • Pet Waste

  • StyrofoamTM

  • Glass and Metal

  • Plastics of Any Variety (inc. bags)

  • Yard Waste

Residential Composting

Cayuga Compost accepts food scraps, paper towels, napkins, waxed cardboard, and certified compostable liners.

All plastics, glass, metals, compostable food packaging, (i.e. cups, plates, forks, spoons, knives. regardless if a product says compostable or biodegradable), and any other items are considered contaminates and are not allowed into or to be deposited in the composting facility.

Contaminated loads may be refused and/or additional charges may be imposed for remediation costs.

  • Compost/Food Scraps (SSOW) Tipping Fee from Tompkins County $0.00.

  • Compost/Food Scraps (SSOW) Tipping Fee NOT from Tompkins County $55/ton.

  • Clean yard trimmings, logs, stumps, etc. Yard waste disposal, Tipping fee $45/ton.

  • No Charge for loads hauling wood chips.

  • No Mixed loads allowed.

  • The log/limb length must not exceed 6 feet.

  • The diameter of the log/limb must not exceed 12 inches.

  • No construction lumber or pallets. (No nails, screws, paint, pressure treated).

  • IF larger stumps/logs are brought in (we will need to split them before grinding) Tipping fee $55/ton for the load.

  • Resident Small Loads (anything less than 500lbs): Punch card 6 punches for $12.00 Punch cards must be presented at each drop off, or purchase of new card will be necessary.

  • Hours of operation are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The facility will be closed on the following holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, July 4th (Independence Day), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Please note: if the holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, then the possibility exists for closure on the Friday proceeding or the Monday following the holiday. Exceptions can be made, only if owner’s prior approval has been obtained.

  • Directives from Cayuga Compost staff must be complied with.

  • A 10 MPH speed limit will be enforced.

  • PPE (visibility vests or shirts) must be worn upon entering and while on the Cayuga Compost Facility property. All safety directives and procedures must be adhered to and all who enter the Cayuga Compost Facility must operate and conduct themselves in a safe and reasonable manner.

  • Terms of payment for approved credit accounts for facility use will be net 30 days from invoice date; all others must pay at the time of service.

  • Cayuga Compost assumes no liabilities for any equipment or other property that is on the premises and which is not owned by Cayuga Compost.

Composting Guidelines & Fees

Yard Waste Disposal

What is acceptable: Lawn clippings, twigs, brush, leaves, branches, wood chips, logs, stumps (logs/limbs/stumps must not exceed 6 feet and the diameter not to exceed 12 inches), and unadulterated/uncontaminated wood.

What is not acceptable: pallets, treated or painted lumber, glass, metal, plastic, styrofoam, railroad ties, cork, and gypsum waste.

Fees

Residential Yard Clippings

  • Less than 500lbs-Punch card 6 drop-offs for $12.00. Purchase a punch card at the office and at each visit the office must punch your card before dropping off your material.

  • Over 500lbs-$45/ton Payment is due, at the time of drop off.

  • Materials can be brought in your vehicles, trailers, paper bags, or cans. NO plastic bags are allowed.

Commercial Yard Debris

  • No charge for loads containing strictly wood chips

  • $45/ton (if the material meets our guidelines of log/limbs/stumps not exceeding 6 feet and diameter not exceeding 12 inches.)

  • $55/ton (if the material does not meet our guidelines for log/limbs/stumps)

  • Payment is due at the time of drop-off unless approved credit has been set up

Cayuga Compost is a DEC-permitted yard waste and vegetative land clearing debris facility.

Virtual Tour

Cayuga Compost helps to build and maintain a healthy and sustainable community. Check out this virtual tour to learn about Cayuga Compost's organics composting practice, including compost uses, what is compostable, and a tour of the composting process.