Not all seafood shells are the same. ONLY SOFT SHELLS may be placed in the green organics container.

Place in Trash Container

• Hard Shells. Clams, mussels, oysters and/or similar hard shelled seafood should be placed in the trash. These harder shells act like rocks and will not break down in the Athens industrial compost facility.

Place in Organics Container (if food scraps are allowed)*

• Soft Shells. Only soft shells may be placed in the green organics container. The shells of seafood crustaceans such as lobster, crab, and shrimp are able to be broken down and processed in Athens organics facilities.
• Meat. Any meat that is inside the shells can be placed in the green organics container.

*For those Athens communities, where food is accepted in the organics container, utensils made from wood or bamboo, and 100% fiber-based plates, are allowed with green waste collection. If food is not allowed in your organics container, please place these items in the trash.

Does my city accept food scraps and food-soiled paper in the organics container?

• Commercial Accounts: Athens can provide food scrap collection for most business accounts. Check your city for verification.
• Residential Accounts: Currently, not all cities have added food scrap collection to their services. Check your city for verification.

If you do not have an organics container (that also accepts food scraps and food-soiled paper), please all shells in the trash.