We’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received from our community this past year! Your enthusiasm for composting and dedication to sustainable living have fueled our mission and helped us grow. Along the way, we’ve gotten some great questions about our service. To help everyone get the most out of their composting experience, we’ve compiled answers to some of your most frequently asked questions—all focused on how our service works and how we can continue making composting easy and impactful together.
1. What items can I put in my Neighborhood compost bucket?
We accept a wide range of organic (natural) materials! Feel free to include food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and bread. Animal (by)products such as meat, bones, and dairy are also acceptable.
Avoid items like animal/human waste, plastics, metals, etc. Additionally, it’s best to avoid adding invasive plants/weeds/yard trimmings to your compost bin. Some types may survive the composting process and could spread when the compost is used. We take extra care to handle these materials appropriately, so contact us if you’re unsure.
For detailed information of what to (and not to) include in your bucket see our 2025 Compost Guide.
2. How do I keep my bucket from smelling bad?
Odor control is often one of the top concerns for our composters. To minimize smells, keep your bin in a shaded, cool area with the lid tightly closed. A hack we recommend is filling your 8G or 2G biobag with scraps, tossing it in the freezer, and placing it into your bucket on the day of your pickup. This is also a great deterrent for pests in the warmer months!
If you're still running into issues, reach out to us via info@neighborhoodcompost.com and get a replacement bucket delivered to your residence! Bye-bye bad smells!!
3. What do I do if I run out of Biobags or need an additional pickup?
If you need additional supplies, visit your Customer Portal or reach out to our customer support team! We offer convenient replenishment services for our biobags, delivered straight to your door. For additional pickups, either enter your Customer Portal > Select Shop > Place an order for a One Time Compost Pickup or email us.
Composting has never been easier!
QUICK TIP : While you're in our shop, check out our locally produced goods and composting accessories like the Bamboozle Countertop Composting Caddy.
4. Is your service available to residential customers, businesses, or both?
We proudly offer compost collection services for both residential customers and businesses. Whether you’re managing household food waste or looking for sustainable waste solutions for your restaurant or office, we’ve got you covered.
5. Can I use your composting service if I live in an apartment?
Absolutely! Composting isn’t just for people with backyards.
Our service is designed to be convenient for all types of living arrangements, including apartments and care facilities. Simply store your bucket in a spot that is manageable to you and we’ll handle the rest with scheduled pickups! Unsure of where to store your bucket? Contact us and we can help. It's not our first rodeo.
6. What do I do if I’m going on vacation?
If you’ll be away for a while, let us know in advance! We can temporarily pause your service (1 month minimum) so you’re not charged for pickups that you won’t use. Simply contact our team to arrange a hold on your account and enjoy your time away.
7. What do you do with the finished compost?
The compost we collect is naturally processed and turned into rich, healthy soil amendment.
This nutrient-dense soil is used by us to grow the fresh produce we offer in our shop, as well as the compost we cultivate in partnership with our organics recycling partners is donated back to residential and commercial clients for gardens, local farms, and landscaping projects. This is all done in an effort to improve soil health and foster sustainable food systems!
8. What makes composting better than simply throwing food waste in the trash?
Every time food scraps and organic waste end up in a landfill, they decompose without oxygen, releasing methane—a greenhouse gas that is up to 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Composting, on the other hand, diverts this waste and transforms it into a resource that actively benefits the planet.
Additionally to methane reduction, composting contributes to carbon sequestration. Healthy soil enriched with compost draws carbon from the atmosphere and stores it safely underground, making composting a double-win for climate mitigation.
To learn more, read our blogs: Composting to Combat Climate-Driven Wildfires and World Food Day: Reducing Waste and Growing Impact
9. How can composting benefit my community?
Composting helps communities reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills, lowering waste management costs and minimizing environmental impacts like methane emissions. By turning food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost, communities can improve soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers in local gardens, parks, and farms. This supports sustainable agriculture, boosts local food production, and helps keep public spaces green and thriving!
Additionally, composting fosters a sense of community by encouraging collective action. Community composting programs, educational workshops, and events bring people together to share knowledge and resources, creating stronger local connections! As more people get involved, communities build a culture of sustainability that reduces waste and promotes environmental stewardship for future generations.
10. How do I refer a friend/business to neighborhood compost?
Every customer of Neighborhood Compost has access to a "Give $12, Get $12" offer in their Customer Portal! When you refer a friend, both you and your friend will receive $12.00 off your next invoice. It’s a simple way to save while spreading the word about composting’s environmental benefits. By getting more people involved, you’re helping divert food scraps and yard waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enriching local soils with nutrient-rich compost!
We also welcome businesses to join the movement! Referring a business not only helps them lower their environmental impact but also promotes transparent sustainability in their operations. Businesses can visit our website to learn more, or reach out to us directly at info@neighborhoodcompost.com.
Thank You!
Your passion, feedback, and curiosity inspire us every day. Thank you for being part of this amazing composting community. We’re excited to help you on your composting journey and make waste reduction easier and more accessible. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us—or check out our blog for more tips and insights on sustainable living!
Let’s keep making a difference together, Neighbor!
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