• BPI Certified Compostable Bags (no plastic bags)
• Food Scraps and Leftovers:
  • Fruits and Vegetables, cooked or uncooked (remove stickers, bands and ties)
  • Meat and Poultry (bones ok)
  • Fish and Shellfish (shells ok)
  • Dairy Products
  • Bread and Pasta Rice and Grains
  • Egg Shells
  • Chips and Snacks Nuts and Seeds (shells ok)
  • Leftover and Spoiled Food
  • Coffee Grounds (paper filters ok)
  • Cut Flowers
• Food-soiled Paper:
  • Tea Bags (no staples or nylon tea bags)
  • Food-soiled solid natural brown or white Paper Towels and Napkins
  • Uncoated paper plates and cups

BPI-certified labeled serve ware consisting of plates, cups, containers, and utensils*

BPI-certified or regular wax paper*

BPI-certified or regular parchment paper*

Paper egg cartons

Coated paper plates or cups

Dyed pattern printed or solid colored paper napkins, paper towels and tissues

Aluminum foil

Plastic wrap

Plastic bags

Plastic film

Plastic of any kind

Chemical or Bodily fluid-soiled paper bags, paper napkins, paper towels and tissues

Take out containers

Pizza boxes

Juice boxes and pouches

Rubber bands and twist ties

Produce stickers

Paper towel tubes

Toilet paper tubes

Cardboard

Clean or soiled wooden popsicle sticks

Clean or soiled wooden chopsticks

Clean or soiled natural corks

Coated wrappers like chip bags

Glass

Metal

Foam

Animal feces or cat litter

Wipes of any kind (including biodegradable)

Yard waste

*Of all BPI certified products, only BPI Certified bags are acceptable

• Browns:
  • Autumn Leaves
  • Straw
  • Woodchips
  • Sawdust (from untreated wood)
  • Twigs
  • Shredded Paper
• Greens:
  • Fruits and Vegetable scraps, cooked (if cooked with no fats or meat/fish/dairy) or uncooked (remove stickers, bands and ties)
  • Bread and Pasta (if cooked with no fats or meat/fish/dairy)
  • Rice and Grains (if cooked with no fats or meat/fish/dairy)
  • Eggshells
  • Nuts and Seeds (shells ok)
  • Leftover and Spoiled Food
  • Coffee Grounds (paper filters ok)
  • Cut Flowers
  • Tea Bags and Leaves
  • Houseplants
  • Fresh leaves
  • Prunings
  • Grass Clippings (if not chemically treated)
  • Cardboard (with no ink or tape and cut into small pieces)
  • Cotton and Wool Rags
  • Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
  • Hair and fur
  • Fireplace ashes

Meat and Poultry of any kind (including bones)

• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies

Fish or Shellfish

• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies

Fat, Oil, and Butters

• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies

Dairy

• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies

Any compostable or biodegradable products (serve ware, cups, plates, wipes etc)

• Takes too long to break down naturally

Diseased or Insect Ridden Plants or Plant Trimmings

• Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants

Anything that has been treated with pesticides

• Might kill beneficial composting organisms

Paper towels, napkins, tissues, and toilet paper

• Takes too long to break down naturally

Black walnut tree leaves or twigs

• Releases substances that might be harmful to plants

Coal or charcoal ash

• Might contain substances harmful to plants

Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)

• Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans