Serving the Tucson Community by Reducing Household Food Waste

The Compost Cats Bucket Program is a residential composting service that has diverted over 200,000 pounds of household food waste and continues to expand. To join the Bucket Program, fill out our interest form or call our Campus & Community Outreach Coordinator, Kenzie Jackson, at 520-621-7817 for more information.

Start Composting

Bucket Program Designated Drop-off Times

Times may be changed due to holidays or inclement weather.

Bucket Program 101: Intro to Composting

Food scraps that make it to the Tucson landfill contribute to the creation of methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Composting household food waste helps Bucket Program participants reduce their environmental impact and mitigate climate change. Participants are also contributing to the creation of compost, which is used to alleviate food insecurity in our community by helping local gardens grow more fresh and nutritious produce.  

Since Compost Cats launched the program in the Fall 2020 semester, we have diverted over 150,000 pounds of food scraps from Tucson’s landfills! Thanks to participants using our compost drop off sites, we now have high-quality compost to donate to local community projects. By joining our Compost Cats Bucket Program, you can help to reduce waste, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and give back to our community!

Bucket Program 201: Start Composting!

All Tucson residents and UArizona students, staff, and faculty are eligible to sign up for the program. Check out these easy steps to start composting!

Step 1

Please fill out our Interest Form or call our Campus & Community Outreach Coordinator, Kenzie Jackson, at 520-621-7817 for more information. Tucson Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members can also join in-person by visiting our table at the CSA.

Step 2

You may be waitlisted for a short period of time. Once spots are available, you will receive an email with dates and times that you may come to a drop-off location of your choice for onboarding. The email will also include more information about the program.

Step 3

Be sure to read our User Agreement before coming out, to speed up the onboarding process.

Step 4

Visit a drop-off site at the location of your choosing, fill out the User Agreement in-person, and pay the applicable onboarding/service fees (pricing is listed below).

Step 5

Pick up your 2-gallon or 5-gallon bucket (you may also use your own container if you prefer) during the onboarding process. You will receive a list  of accepted compostable items (eggshells, coffee grounds, grains, baked goods, fruit, and vegetable scraps, etc.) and prohibited items (meat, dairy, waxed paper products, bioplastics, etc.)

Step 6

Fill your bucket with food scraps throughout the week!

Step 7

Bring your bucket back to one of the designated drop-off times listed at the top of this page.

Step 8

Our Compost Systems Specialists will weigh your food waste, check it for contamination, and then turn it into compost for use in the UArizona Community Garden or donate it back into the community!

Step 9

When available, take some compost home and use it in your garden!

Program Pricing

Since August 2021, the Compost Cats Bucket Program has charged all non-student users a $12 monthly service fee. University of Arizona students are not required to pay this monthly rate to receive compost services, only the one-time Onboarding Fee. Additional notes on program pricing:

• The monthly service fee remains unchanged regardless of how frequently or infrequently a user takes advantage of the service. All fees are non-refundable.
• If non-student users that enroll for an entire year pay upfront, they will receive one free month ($132 total).
• Users wishing to set up recurring payments or pay in installments can do so on-site. 
• Users that sign up as a student at the University may have their enrollment checked and verified at random.  
• All users, including students, will pay a one-time, non-refundable Onboarding Fee that covers the cost of their onboarding. Users may choose the container/bucket they will use for the duration of their membership. If the user selects a personal container, the Onboarding Fee will still apply.
• Payment using a card is preferred; we currently accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We do not currently accept American Express.
• Cash is also welcomed; if using cash, exact change is required as we cannot provide change.
• We do not accept checks, so please plan accordingly.

Bucket Program History

The program began as a three-phase pilot project in August 2020. By the end of Phase III, the Bucket Program had successfully served over 100 Tucson community members, finishing the pilot period with over 11,600 pounds of food waste collected and diverted from Tucson’s landfills.

Due to the success of the pilot program, and the never-ending line of students and community members interested in reducing their food waste, the Bucket Program is now a paid service. As a paid service, the program helps cover our costs and ensures we can keep up with growing demand. Our program continues to grow, and we welcome you to grow with us!

Bucket Program FAQs

Make a difference in your community and become a leader in reducing food waste! Contact compostcats@arizona.edu or fill out our Interest Form to sign up today.