Donation Extends Upper Keys Food Waste Drop-Off Pilot Through Feb. 27, 2026

Monroe County has extended its Upper Keys Food Waste Collection Pilot through Feb. 27, 2026 after a donation from a local resident, keeping free drop‑off service at three Upper Keys sites operated in partnership with SoilMate Composting and sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida. The extension preserves access for registered residents who have been using the pilot since its November launch.

The county’s Instagram account announced the change with the caption, “✨ Good news! Our Food Waste Drop‑Off Pilot in the Upper Keys has been extended 3 more weeks, now through February 27, 2026 ✨,” which aligns with the program’s original timeline. The pilot originally ran from Nov. 17, 2025 through Feb. 6, 2026; extending the end date to Feb. 27 adds 21 days of service for participants while Monroe County evaluates long‑term options.

Drop‑off locations remain the three sites listed at launch: Ocean Studies Charter School at 11‑27 Rock Harbor Drive, Key Largo, behind the playground; Atlantic Trash and Transfer at 300 Atlantic Drive, Key Largo; and Coral Isles Church at 90001 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, behind the fellowship hall. Biodegradable bags are available at all collection locations, and residents may drop off food waste free of charge at any of the three sites during the extended pilot.

Participation requires registration and site access control. Residents can fill out an interest form on SoilMate’s Monroe program page to receive the registration link in November; registration includes a brief education session and a unique access code for the drop‑off sites. The county’s materials emphasize that only food scraps will be accepted and that drop‑offs are free of charge to participants.

Monroe County set strict contamination rules for the pilot: “To ensure high‑quality compost and prevent contamination, only food scraps will be accepted. No yard waste, paper, unapproved compostable bags, or foodware (plastics) of any kind will be accepted.” The policy is intended to protect compost quality as SoilMate processes material collected from Upper Keys residents.

Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel framed the pilot as a community action: “This program gives residents a simple, convenient way to be part of a solution. Every pound of food waste diverted is one less pound ending up in the landfill.” The county held a ribbon‑cutting for the program on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean Studies Charter School site behind the playground, and the pilot began service four days later on Nov. 17, 2025.

County staff say the extension funded by the local donation gives additional weeks for residents to participate while Monroe County evaluates long‑term options to reduce landfill use and address South Florida’s regional waste challenges. For program questions or county services, Monroe County lists its main office at 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040 and Main Number: 305‑294‑4641.