What goes in my compost cart?

Tips & Guidelines
Compostable material includes food scraps and yard waste. Weekly compost collection is included with your garbage subscription at no additional cost.  If you require additional carts, see available options here. The handling and processing of compostable material is less resource-intensive than processing garbage and creates a valuable product to use in parks and gardens. Approximately 30% of all material that ends up in the landfill could be composted instead. When you keep food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard debris separate from your garbage, you extend the life of our landfills and conserve resources.

Your compost cart is collected weekly along with your garbage and recycling. To sign up for service call Recology at 206.381.6980.

Materials Collected

Put these types of materials in your compost cart:
Food scraps

  • Fruits, vegetables
  • Bread, pasta, grains
  • Eggshells, nutshells
  • Fish, meat, dairy
  • Shells, bones
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Tea bags

Food-soiled paper

  • Paper towels and napkins
  • Uncoated paper plates and cups
  • Uncoated paper take-out cartons
  • Pizza delivery boxes
  • Paper bags containing food scraps

Yard debris

  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves, twigs
  • Weeds
  • Houseplants
  • Branches (under 4′ long, 4″ wide)

 
DO NOT place these items in your compost cart:
  • Glass
  • Animal or human waste
  • Pet litter
  • Diapers
  • Plastic
  • StyrofoamTM
  • Foil
  • Hazardous waste
  • Soil
  • Rocks
  • Stumps/limbs (over 4′ long, 4″ wide)
  • Lumber or fencing
  • Painted or treated wood
  • Metal

 

 

 

 

 

 


Watch the Kitchen Composting 101 video below for tips.

More videos from King County: Love Your Leftovers | Shop Smart | Store It Right