Household Composting

Composting is a process of recycling organic matter, like leaves and food scraps. Composting involves putting food and some paper products in a separate container so they can be naturally broken down to create rich dirt, frequently used by gardeners. This transformation happens through a process called biodegradation, where bacteria and fungi convert organic matter.

There are many benefits to composting. Here are just a few:

Reduces the waste stream. Food and garden waste consist of 28% of what we throw away. Food waste is both a burden on the environment and is expensive to process. Composting can divert some of this waste from landfills and be repurposed for other uses (gardening, farming, etc).

Improves soil health and encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.

Decreases methane emissions, potent greenhouse gases which trap heat in the atmosphere, from landfills.

In general, only biodegradable materials can be composted. At-home compost bins are smaller and cannot generate enough heat to safely break down some items like meat and dairy food scraps. Check out the EPA’s complete list of what to compost at home here and read more in the resources below.

It is important that your compost bin has three basic ingredients:

• Browns – Materials like dead leaves, branches, twigs, and shredded newspaper provide carbon to your compost pile.
• Greens – Materials such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds are wet and nitrogen-rich
• Water – Moisture is needed to help break down the organic matter

According to the EPA, your compost pile should have plenty of water and an equal amount of brown materials and green materials to ensure that matter breaks down easily.

In general, only biodegradable materials can be composted. Check the packaging to ensure an item is compostable.

Allowed materials will vary depending on what company provides the collection service, but here is a list from the US Environmental Protection Agency as a guide. Items with a * may not be accepted depending on the service provider.

• Eggshells
• Fruits and vegetables
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Teabags
• Nutshells
• Shredded newspaper*
• Cardboard
• Paper towels, napkins
• Compostable BPI certified cutlery
• Yard/grass trimmings*
• Houseplants
• Hay and straw
• Sawdust
• Wood chips
• Cotton and Wool Rags*
• Hair and fur
• Fireplace ashes
• Fats, grease, lard, or oils*
• Meat or fish bones and scraps*
• Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs*

Here is a list of items NOT to compost from the US Environmental Protection Agency:

• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
• Coal or charcoal ash
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants
• Recyclables and other trash
• Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
• Used diapers

If you are composting at home, it is important to leave out the following items as well:

• Fats, grease, lard, or oils
• Meat or fish bones and scraps
• Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs

If you are using a curbside composting service, always check the company’s resources to see what you can and cannot compost.

A properly managed compost bin will not smell bad. Most compost collection services make secure and sealable bins available for the collection of food scraps/organic waste products. If you’re composting at home, secure containers are usually available at the local hardware store. Keeping the bin closed should prevent odors. If you’re nervous about smells, a common practice is to put food scraps in a small container in the freezer and to empty it into the compost bin as it fills. This limits the number of times you open the compost container and is an extra precaution for avoiding pests.

Many compost collection services also recommend the use of compostable bag liners for bins. This allows for easy removal of food waste on collection day, easy wipe-downs of the container for maintenance, and prevents spills from any liquids.

Similar to unwanted smells, unwanted pests should not be an issue so long as the compost bin is managed and properly maintained. Keeping the bin closed and secure unless actively adding to it prevents flies or bugs from hanging around a kitchen container. If keeping a bin outside, making sure the lid is on and locked to prevent curious critters from making a mess. Using the freezer method (mentioned in the answer above) with meat, dairy, or seafood scraps can be an extra precaution for avoiding pests. Another precaution: when throwing meat/dairy food scraps into an outdoor container, bury them under other less-tempting waste (cardboard, napkins, etc).

There is no need to switch to Garbage to Garden if you are already happily signed up with a different curbside composting service! We want residents to compost using the best way that works for them. However, the municipal composting program is provided at no cost to residents. To be eligible, residents must live at an address with four units or fewer.