Food Waste Recycling In Salt Lake City, Utah

Turn your food waste into renewable energy while keeping Salt Lake City’s urban environment clean

What Is Residential Curbside Food Waste Recycling in Salt Lake City?

You want to be environmentally responsible, but limited recycling options leave you frustrated.

As an environmentally-conscious Salt Lake City resident, you want to align your actions with your values, but SLC’s limited municipal programs leave you throwing away food waste that could become renewable energy. This creates a painful disconnect – you know food waste makes up 30% of landfills and releases climate-damaging methane, but what choice do you have?

At Momentum Recycling, we understand your frustration. Since 2008, we’ve been filling gaps left by municipal programs. We’re Utah’s only food waste recycling service, offering convenient curbside collection that turns your kitchen scraps into renewable natural gas for Salt Lake City homes.

Food waste recycling with the Momentum Kitchen Caddy

Key Features That Make Food Waste Recycling Work for You

Consistent Weekly Pickup

Same day every week, usually aligned with your trash collection day

Flexible Service Terms

Month-to-month billing with no long-term commitment required

Never Miss Pickup Again

Choose text, email, or mobile app alerts sent before your collection day

How Do I Start Recycling Food Waste in Salt Lake City?

Beginning your food waste recycling journey is straightforward:

Choose Your Container

Pick between a compact 5-gallon bucket or spacious 16-gallon cart

Collect Food Scraps

Use your complimentary kitchen caddy lined with compostable bags for all food waste

Set Out for Collection

Position your container curbside on your scheduled pickup day

We Handle Everything Else

We’ll collect and transport your scraps to be transformed into clean energy

Your Complimentary Kitchen Starter Kit Makes Collection Simple!

Start collecting food scraps immediately with the free Kitchen Starter Kit included with every Salt Lake City signup. Your kit features a 2-gallon countertop caddy and 30 compostable bags. All customers must use BPI-Certified compostable bags to keep containers clean. Reorder bags anytime through our website or select our convenient monthly subscription for automatic delivery.

Who can participate?

This map outlines all current service areas. Households must be located within these boundaries to participate.

  • Not in the service area? – Please submit your interest here to help expand the food waste recycling service to your neighborhood. 

Turn Your Kitchen Scraps Into Clean Energy

When you choose food waste recycling with Momentum Recycling, you join Utah’s most innovative curbside composting system:

Curbside Collection: Our specialty trucks gather your food waste weekly from your Salt Lake City residence

Facility Delivery: Materials are transported to Wasatch Resource Recovery in North Salt Lake

Processing: Food scraps undergo depackaging and preparation for anaerobic digestion

Methane Production: Beneficial bacteria decompose organic materials, generating biogas over 30 days

Clean Energy Creation: Captured methane is refined and converted into renewable natural gas for the pipeline

Agricultural Support: Remaining nutrient-rich material becomes organic fertilizer for Utah farms

This closed-loop system guarantees every kitchen scrap contributes to Utah’s sustainable future.

How Should I Position My Container in Salt Lake City?

Place your container for optimal pickup access on your scheduled collection day:

  • Keep 3+ feet of space between your container and other bins, vehicles, or obstacles
  • Homes with driveways: Place container at either side of your driveway’s end
  • Homes without driveways: Set along the curb front edge of your property (not directly on the curb surface)
  • Ensure container is curbside by 7:00 AM on your collection day

When You Choose Food Waste Recycling, You’ll Experience:

Practical Benefits

  • Weekly service designed to fit seamlessly into your existing schedule
  • Significantly reduces weight and bulk of your regular household garbage
  • Eliminates food waste odors from your kitchen and outdoor bins
  • Confidence knowing you’re creating measurable environmental impact
  • May help lower your overall waste management expenses

Community Benefits

  • Demonstrates environmental stewardship throughout Sugar House, Liberty Park, Ensign
  • Peak and all Salt Lake neighborhoods
  • Supports Utah’s growing green job sector and circular economy initiatives
  • Builds a more sustainable Salt Lake City for the next generation
  • Connects your household values with meaningful community action
  • Creates educational moments about cutting-edge waste reduction technology

Environmental Benefits

  • Extends local landfill capacity, preserving space for future decades
  • Generates renewable energy sufficient to power 40,000 Utah homes
  • Eliminates methane emissions that would otherwise contribute to climate change
  • Creates nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for sustainable Utah agriculture
  • Substantially reduces your household’s overall carbon footprint

End the disconnect between your environmental values and daily actions. Join thousands of Utah families who’ve discovered that aligning your household practices with your sustainability commitment starts with one simple decision about food waste.

What Can I Put in My Salt Lake City Food Waste Container?

Accepted food waste materials

  • Bread, pasta and grains
  • Fruits and vegetables (raw or cooked)
  • Spoiled or expired food items
  • Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
  • Coffee grounds and tea bags
  • Meat, poultry and seafood (including bones)
  • Food-soiled paper (napkins, paper towels)
  • Condiments and sauces
  • Cooking oils and fats
  • Eggs and eggshells

Please keep these items out of your food waste container:

  • Chemicals or cleaning products
  • Yard waste (branches, leaves, etc.)
  • Compostable/biodegradable containers or utensils
  • Glass (learn more about residential curbside glass recycling in Salt Lake County)
  • Pet waste or cat litter
  • Metal or ceramics
  • Plastic bags or packaging
  • Large quantities of liquids
  • Cardboard or paperboard
  • Hazardous materials or cleaning products

Questions about specific items? Click here to view our comprehensive visual guide that shows exactly what belongs in your food waste container and what should go elsewhere.

Food Waste Recycling For Multi-Family Properties In SLC

We create customized food waste programs for apartment buildings and multi-family residences across Salt Lake. Our team partners with property managers to:

  • Create a waste collection strategy tailored to your building’s specific layout
  • Set up pickup frequencies that work best for your tenant population
  • Calculate proper container types and quantities for your property size
  • Deliver comprehensive educational resources and clear signage for residents
  • Offer continuous program support and account management services

Contact us now to schedule a complimentary consultation for your Salt Lake City multi-family development.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: All collected food waste is transported to the Wasatch Resource Recovery facility in North Salt Lake, where it undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce renewable energy and organic fertilizer.

A: No contract is required for our standard month-to-month service – you can cancel anytime through your account. Annual payment plans involve a 12-month commitment with non-refundable terms.

A: Contact us immediately for replacement assistance. Replacement costs are $15.00 for 5-gallon buckets and $25.00 for 16-gallon carts. We’ll help resolve the situation quickly.

A: Ready for more capacity? Contact us to exchange your 5-gallon bucket for a 16-gallon cart. You’ll pay $20.00, which covers the difference between activation fees ($25 for bucket, $45 for cart).

A: Yes, service holds are available for 1-4 months with a 30-day minimum. Restarting service requires a one-time $25.00 reactivation fee. Contact us to arrange your temporary hold.

A: We require credit card information for automatic monthly billing during signup. Cash, checks, and PayPal are not accepted. Monitor your billing dates through your online account.

A: Yes, all customers must use our standardized 5-gallon buckets or 16-gallon carts to ensure service consistency and avoid collection confusion.

A: Position your container with clear street visibility, at least 3 feet from other bins, vehicles, or obstacles. Driveway homes should place containers at either driveway end; homes without driveways should use the curb edge area.

A: Order replacement bags through our website anytime, or choose our automatic bag subscription service to maintain a steady supply without running out.

A: Avoid putting packaging materials, compostable containers/utensils, and yard trimmings in your food waste bin. Download our mobile app and use Recycle Coach to search specific items, or contact us for guidance.

A: Absolutely! Add a second 5-gallon bucket for a $25.00 setup fee plus $5.00 monthly. Contact us to include this option with your existing Salt Lake service.

Have more questions? We’d love to talk with you! Reach out to us…..

Contact Information

For questions, service requests, or additional information about food waste recycling in Salt Lake City, contact Momentum Recycling:

• Phone: (801) 355-0334 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm)

• Location: 658 South 4050 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104

• Website: momentumrecycling.com

Sign up today and join other residents already recycling food waste through our convenient curbside service.