Food Waste Drop-offs In Action
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
12.00 – 13.00 EST
Food waste is one of the largest components of household trash in the United States. With landfill capacity declining and incinerator closures driving up costs, cities are rethinking how they manage organic materials. Organics drop-off programs are emerging as a low-cost, scalable solution—helping communities reduce contamination, improve access and build a culture of responsible waste diversion.
Join our expert panel as we explore how cities and towns across the US are implementing organics drop-off programs tailored to their communities. From early-stage pilots to growing regional networks, learn how municipalities are using technology, education and infrastructure to inspire behavior change and keep food waste out of the trash.
This session features practical insights and actionable strategies across three key areas:
Whether you’re exploring a new pilot, expanding an existing program or developing long-term food waste diversion plans, this session provides the real-world insights you need.
About the event
Hear from municipal leaders and composting professionals who are building successful drop-off programs in their communities. Learn what works, what challenges to expect, and how to create systems that grow.
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What to expect
Featured speakers
Michael Heimbach
Project Manager – Solid Waste – Coconut Creek, FL
LinkedIn: Michael Heimbach
Michael Heimbach brings over 30 years of leadership in the solid waste, recycling, and reuse industry. He currently serves as the Project Manager overseeing the City of Coconut Creek, Florida’s solid waste programs, where he played a key role in launching the City’s food waste drop-off pilot initiative.
Prior to joining Coconut Creek, Michael worked with the City of Gainesville, Florida, where he was a driving force behind the development of the City’s Zero Waste Ordinance. His work included creating mandatory food diversion requirements for restaurants and multifamily residences. Under his guidance, Gainesville was selected in the first round of the USDA Composting and Food Waste Reduction grant program, leading to a pioneering pilot for single-family residential food waste collection—an initiative that continues to expand annually.
Michael’s career reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation in waste reduction practices across public sector programs.
Tim Steckel
Founder, The Compost Marketing Agency
LinkedIn: Tim Steckel
Tim Steckel is a dedicated champion of composting and organics recycling, and the driving force behind Compost Marketing Agency, a firm that partners with composters, soil advocates, and sustainability-focused organizations to elevate their impact through smart marketing. His curiosity about soil ecosystems and the power of microbes fuels his broader mission to #makecompostmainstream.
Tim works alongside everyone from municipalities, community composters to regional food waste haulers and national recycling networks. He crafts compelling strategies that move the needle on public awareness and adoption of composting practices.
Known for blending environmental purpose with marketing expertise, Tim has become a trusted voice in the composting industry.
Emily Williams
Hailey City Hall, ID
Website: haileycityhall.org
LinkedIn: Emily Williams
Todd Rothe
Big Lake Organics
Website: Big Lake Organics
Facebook: Big Lake Organics
Discover how organics drop-off programs are reshaping food waste management across the country—cost-effectively, responsibly and at scale.
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