Compostable materials can be dropped off at designated Lorain County Metro Parks’ Scraps to Soil locations. Drop off sites are easily identifiable located near public parking lots. Look for the compost bin corrals with Scraps to Soil signage and information.

Have questions about where it is located or need assistance. Facility phone numbers and hours are listed below.

1. Carlisle Visitor Center:
   12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
   Open 8:00 am-4:30 pm, daily (including weekends)
   (440) 458-5121

2. French Creek Nature Center:
   4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, OH 44054
   Open 10:00 am-4:00 pm, daily (including weekends)
   (440) 949-5200

3. Lakeview Park:
   1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052
   *There is no receptionist available at this location, but all calls can be directed to the Carlisle Visitor Center (information above).

4. Miller Nature Preserve:
   2739 Center Rd., Avon, OH 44011
   Open 10:00 am-5:00 pm, daily (including weekends)
   (440) 937-0764

The Scraps to Soil drop-site bin corrals were funded in March 2026 by a generous grant from the Friends of Metro Parks in Lorain County.

Collect your food scraps at home using any container you choose. Once your container is full, or whenever you’re ready, bring the materials to one of the designated drop-off locations and place them in the compost bin.

A 5-gallon bucket works well for most households, and weekly drop-offs are recommended to help keep materials fresh and manageable. Containers can be lined with a paper bag or a BPI-certified compostable bag, or food scraps can be emptied directly into the collection bin with no liner required.

Please do not place plastic bags in the compost bins. Plastic contamination must be removed by hand and can interfere with the composting process.

The Scraps to Soil program offers flexibility to collect food scraps on your own schedule while keeping compostable materials out of the landfill.

To help ensure a clean, high-quality composting process, it’s important to keep certain materials out of collection bins. These items either don’t break down properly or can contaminate the finished compost.

NON-COMPOSTABLE HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS:

• Plastic bags, plastic cups, and straws

• Styrofoam and other foam products

• Metal items, rubber bands, and twist ties

• Q-tips

• Hair (human or pet) and nails

• Pet waste, animal bedding, diapers, and human waste

• Medications, vitamins, supplements, and pills

FOOD-RELATED ITEMS THAT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED:

• Produce stickers

• Food wrappers and packaging

• Large amounts of cooking oil

PAPER AND CARDBOARD THAT SHOULD BE KEPT OUT:

• Wax paper and parchment paper

• Paper towels used with cleaning chemicals or soap

• Shiny or heavily coated cardboard boxes

• Printer paper, junk mail, and shredded paper

YARD AND OUTDOOR MATERIALS (NOT ACCEPTED HERE):

• Grass clippings and yard waste

Keeping these materials out of the compost stream helps maintain a clean process and ensures the finished compost is safe and effective for enriching soil.

No. Yard waste is not accepted at the compost drop-off locations because the Scraps to Soil collection sites are not designed to handle large volumes of landscape material. For disposal options, contact your local municipality to learn whether curbside collection for brown paper yard waste bags is available or if there is a local drop-off facility in your community.

No, the Scraps to Soil program cannot safely compost pet waste (dog/cat) because it contains harmful pathogens, parasites (like roundworms), and bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella) that require high temperatures to break down. These pathogens can survive in soil for years, posing significant health risks to humans and pets, making it unsuitable for food gardens.

Compost contamination happens when materials that don’t belong in the compost stream are mixed in with food scraps or certified compostable items. These “out-of-place” materials can disrupt the composting process and affect the quality of the finished product.

Common contaminants include plastics, Styrofoam, metal, glass, and non-compostable packaging, as well as items like diapers, pet waste, or chemicals. Even small items such as plastic stickers or twist ties can cause problems.

When contamination occurs, it can:

• Interfere with how organic material breaks down

• Require extra time and labor to remove unwanted items

• Reduce the quality of finished compost

• In some cases, cause entire batches to be rejected or diverted from beneficial use

Keeping compost streams clean helps ensure food scraps and approved compostable materials can be successfully turned into nutrient-rich compost that supports healthy soil and community landscapes.

The Scraps to Soil program is free to use and open to everyone.

There is no need to sign up or register for the Scraps to Soil program. Feel free to use the program when it is convenient. If you are looking for more information on sustainability in the parks, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter by clicking here.

No, the Scraps to Soil program drop-off sites can be used by anyone visiting the parks. There are no residential requirements.

There is no limit on the number of times you can drop off at these sites. The only limitation is bin capacity. However, through our partnership agreement, bin levels will be monitored, and bins will be emptied as needed. Questions or need to report a full bin, call our administration office at (440) 458-5121 or email pr@loraincountymetroparks.com.

Yes! Use whichever Scraps to Soil site that is convenient for you. As if you need another excuse to get to the parks, stop by for a visit and be sure to bring along your compost container!

Lorain County Metro Parks staff may be available to assist you in dumping your compost bin. Please call ahead to arrange for someone to meet you at the drop off location. Monthly drive-through drop off events are being considered. Stay tuned for more information!

1. Carlisle Visitor Center:
   12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
   Open 8:00 am-4:30 pm, daily (including weekends)
   (440) 458-5121

2. French Creek Nature Center:
   4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, OH 44054
   Open 10:00 am-4:00 pm, daily (including weekends)
   (440) 949-5200

3. Lakeview Park:
   1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052
   *There is no receptionist available at this location, but all calls can be directed to the Carlisle Visitor Center (information above).

4. Miller Nature Preserve:
   2739 Center Rd., Avon, OH 44011
   Open 10:00 am-5:00 pm, daily (including weekends)
   (440) 937-0764

At this time, finished compost soil is not available for personal use through the program. The composting initiative is made possible through partnerships with Rubber City Reuse and other regional processing facilities.

Although the drop-off program is offered free of charge, operational expenses are offset through the resale of the finished compost product. Participants looking to purchase locally produced compost may find materials available through regional compost processors and garden suppliers. Additional purchasing information will be shared as it becomes available.

A portion of the compost created through this program will be returned to Lorain County Metro Parks for use in flower beds, gardens, and landscaped areas throughout the park district. Using this locally produced compost helps improve soil health and beautify the parks while reducing the need to purchase landscaping materials, creating additional value for taxpayers and the community.

Rubber City Reuse is a sustainable waste management company focused on reducing landfill waste through organics recycling and composting. They serve industrial, commercial, and residential partners by helping divert food scraps and other compostable materials into beneficial reuse streams instead of landfills.

As part of the Scraps to Soil program, Rubber City Reuse provides free pickup and hauling services for compostable materials collected by Lorain County Metro Parks.

For more information about their residential curbside program, you can visit www.rubbercityreuse.com or contact them at info@rubbercityreuse.com or (330) 466-1028.

Friends of Metro Parks in Lorain County, Inc. is the volunteer support organization for Lorain County Metro Parks. It plays an active role in strengthening park programs through fundraising, volunteer service, and community support.

As part of their support, the Scraps to Soil drop-site bin corrals were funded in March 2026 through a generous grant from the Friends organization, helping expand access to the composting program across the park system.

Those interested in learning more or getting involved can explore volunteer opportunities by clicking here.

Becoming a member or volunteer:

To join the Friends organization, individuals must first:

• Attend a Volunteer Orientation

• Complete fingerprinting and a background check through LCMP

Volunteer Orientations are held bi-monthly at the Carlisle Visitor Center. Registration is available online through our online registration system or by calling (440) 458-5121.

Composting is a simple way to keep organic material out of landfills while creating a valuable resource for gardens, landscapes, and communities. It is an environmentally friendly practice that naturally returns nutrients back to the soil.

Applying compost improves soil texture, structure, aeration, and water-holding capacity, leading to healthier soil and stronger root development. Trees, flowers, vegetables, and other plants can thrive with fewer chemical fertilizers and less supplemental treatment.

1. Composting reduces harmful greenhouse gases
   When food waste is sent to a landfill, it decomposes without oxygen and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

2. Food scraps have value beyond the trash or disposal
   Sending food waste through the garbage disposal removes the opportunity to turn those materials into a beneficial resource and increases the burden on wastewater treatment systems.

3. Compost creates healthier soil and stronger communities
   Food scraps can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that supports gardens, farms, flowers, and natural landscapes. Healthy compost improves soil fertility, helps retain water, supports biodiversity, reduces pollution runoff, and contributes to greener, more vibrant communities.