Andover To Offer Discounted Curbside Composting For Residents

ANDOVER, MA — Andover has partnered with Black Earth Compost to offer residents curbside compost subscriptions at a reduced cost, with free starter kits available for the first 300 households who sign up.

Eligible participants will receive a 13-gallon curbside collection bin and a supply of certified compostable liners.

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Under the program, residents can choose either weekly or every-other-week pickup service. They can also choose to pay monthly or prepay for six months.

Black Earth will deliver the free starter kit to each participating home and provide an online account where residents can manage service, report missed pickups, buy bin liners and access composting resources.

The partnership is designed to make composting easier for residents who want to divert food waste but do not want the added work of backyard composting. Residents place food waste in their Black Earth Compost bin and set it out curbside on their designated collection day.

According to the program, food waste makes up 40% of household trash, and waste overall accounts for 3% of Andover's greenhouse gas emissions. Composting can help divert food waste from landfills and incinerators, improve soil health, protect the climate by helping healthy soil absorb carbon, and reduce reliance on artificial fertilizers that pollute waterways.

Pricing depends on pickup frequency and payment schedule.

Weekly collection costs $19.99 per month when prepaid for six months, for a total of $119.99, or $21.99 per month with monthly billing. Every-other-week collection costs $15.83 per month when prepaid for six months, for a total of $94.99, or $17.99 per month with monthly billing.

The town said pricing will continue to decrease as participation grows. Once Andover reaches a high enough number of subscribers, the price will drop for participating households at the next renewal.

Residents who want to join can sign up online through the program page.