SHREWSBURY, MA — Shrewsbury residents have a new place to divert food scraps from the trash.
The town announced Wednesday that it has opened a food waste drop-off site at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, 98 Maple Ave. The locked collection bins are available around the clock to registered residents as part of an expansion funded by a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection grant.
New participants will be assigned to the Senior Center site. Residents already using the original drop-off location at Town Hall, 100 Maple Ave., should continue using that site and do not need to register again, according to the town's announcement.
Registration is free and required before using the bins. Participants will receive an access code and instructions after completing the online registration form. Businesses and other organizations are not currently eligible.
The program accepts raw, cooked and spoiled food scraps, including fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy products, eggs, grains and coffee grounds. Certain food-soiled paper and certified compostable products are also accepted.
Residents may use paper bags or bags certified by BPI, CMA, OK Compost or TUV. Plastic bags are not allowed in the bins. Anyone transporting scraps in plastic must empty the contents into a collection bin and take the bag away.
The town asked participants to close and relock the bins after each use and not leave waste or other materials on the ground. Officials said illegal dumping will be traced and addressed.
Shrewsbury launched its first food waste drop-off location at Town Hall as a pilot program in June 2025. MassDEP's municipal grant program supports local composting and other efforts intended to divert material from disposal, according to the state agency.
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