I have my supplies. Now what?
1. Fill it! Line your kitchen bin with a compostable bag and fill it with food scraps, napkins, and paper towels.
2. Drop it! Tie up your bag and drop it in the green cart for weekly collection. Carts get emptied the same day as your trash and recycling.
How do I get more compost bags?
You can buy compost bags online and at over a dozen Cambridge stores. For a list of stores that sell them,
click here. You are welcome to reuse compostable produce bags for your kitchen bin or use paper bags to line the kitchen bin, the curbside cart or both. Compost bag giveaway events are scheduled every few months throughout the year. For dates and locations, sign up for our monthly
Recycling Newsletter.
How much does the program cost?
Like recycling, program materials (kitchen bins, curbside carts, and starter sets of compost bags) and weekly collection are provided free of charge. Compostable bags to line kitchen bins cost between $10-$30 per household per year, although this cost is offset by using fewer trash bags.
The City is working with local stores and manufacturers to offer cost savings on compost bags to Cambridge residents. You are welcome to reuse compostable produce bags for your kitchen bin or use paper bags to line the kitchen bin, the curbside cart, or both.
I already compost. What else can I do?
Help us get more people composting.
- To find out about recycling and composting events, sign up for our monthly Recycling Newsletter.
- Let neighbors and friends know that you compost.
- Share a photo of your kitchen bin on social media
- Help another Cambridge resident get compost materials.
- Share with us your outreach ideas.
Reduce your food waste.
- Keep your refrigerator clean and organized so you know what you have before you shop.
- Store leftovers in clear containers so you can see what’s in them.
- Properly store food.
- Use a shopping list.
- Use your freezer.
I have my supplies. Now what?
1. Fill it! Line your kitchen bin with a compostable bag and fill it with food scraps, napkins, and paper towels.
2. Drop it! Tie up your bag and drop it in the green cart for weekly collection. Carts get emptied the same day as your trash and recycling.
Should I be concerned about odors?
Compost carts are made of extra-thick plastic, which keeps odors from escaping. Rinsing kitchen bins and carts as needed and putting carts out on the curb for weekly collection (even if they are not full) should keep odors to a minimum. In the summer, you may choose to line your compost cart with a large compostable bag or keep food scraps in the freezer until just before collection.
What goes in the bin?
All food scraps including:
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Meat, Bones & Shells
• Dairy
• Bread & Grains
Also:
• Tea Bags
• Coffee Grounds & Filters
• Napkins & Paper Towels
• Cut Flowers
• Compostable paper items (ONLY if there is a BPI-certified compostable logo. If you’re unsure, throw the item in the trash)
Won’t composting create extra work?
Not necessarily. With composting you are just moving food scraps into a different bin. Although you will take the contents of your kitchen bin out 2-3 times per week, you won’t need to take out the trash as often.
What should not go into the compost cart?
•Pet waste or Diapers (even if they are ‘compostable’)
•Yard Waste
•Plastic Bags
•Recycling
•Trash
•Compostable plastics (compostable bags are OK, though)
Are compostable plastics accepted? What about compostable paper?
Compostable plastics, other than compostable bags to line kitchen bins, are not accepted because they don’t breakdown well enough.
Compostable paper items, such as cups, bowls and plates are accepted if there’s a BPI-certified compostable logo. Many paper food service items may look compostable, but please check every item for the BPI-certified compostable logo.
After DPW picks up food scraps, where does it go?
DPW brings food scraps to the
CORe facility in Charlestown where it is blended into a slurry. The slurry then goes into an anaerobic digestion to make clean energy. For a more detailed account on this process, please check out
Where do food scraps from Cambridge go.
Won’t composting attract rodents or other animals?
What attracts critters is easy access to food. With composting, residents keep rodents out of the trash by moving food scraps into thicker, more secure carts with locking lids.
Note: If you are having trouble with rodents, we may be able to help. Email us at Recycle@CambridgeMa.Gov.
My building already has a curbside cart. How do I start composting?
If you just need an indoor kitchen countertop bin, feel free to stop by DPW to get one. Inside the bin you will find 3 rolls of compost bags and instructions.
DPW is open Monday: 8:30am-8:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am-12 noon
My building doesn’t have curbside compost. How can I compost?
Currently, only buildings that receive trash collection by the City are eligible. If you’re unsure if you’re building can participate in the program, please
email us.
If your building has trash collection from a private contractor, you are welcome to try any one of the following options:
•
Drop-off composting To get you started, pick up a kitchen bin at DPW. Please call ahead at 617.349.4800 Ext.0
•
Private compost collection
•
Set up a backyard or in-home composting system
Can residents get finished compost back from the City?
Unfortunately, the City can no longer offer finished compost for gardens at the DPW Recycle Center. As an alternative, sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates on one-time giveaways of finished compost that the City may offer. Finished compost can be purchased from garden centers such as Pemberton Farmsand Bonny’s Garden Center or some hardware stores.
I backyard compost or use an in-sink garbage disposal. Should I curbside compost instead?
To reduce the risk of costly sewer backups, we strongly urge residents to switch from in-sink disposals and use the curbside compost program.
Backyard composting is great! You may decide you want to use curbside collection for certain items (eggshells, meat, bones, and dairy) or to use in the winter. If your backyard compost bin begins to attract rodents, we strongly suggest switching to using the City’s curbside compost program.
My building has private trash collection. How can I still compost?
Cambridge residents may still compost by:
I already compost in my yard.
That’s great! You may decide you want to use curbside composting as well, either to compost leftovers, eggshells, meat and dairy, or as backup in the winter. If your backyard compost bin does attract rodents, we suggest switching to the curbside compost program.
Why should I use compostable bags?
Compostable plastic bags keep kitchen bins and carts clean and keep odors to a minimum. They also make it easier to bring food scraps from your kitchen out to your compost cart on your way out. You may line your kitchen bin with paper bags instead, or you may choose to line the curbside cart with a large compostable bag instead, but please avoid using regular plastic bags.
What do I do if my cart went missing or broken?
Fill out this form to request a new cart or swap out a broken one.
What if my curbside compost bin is missed on collection day?
It's the same protocol for if your trash or recycling is missed.
Report a missed curbside compost pickup at CambridgeMA.Gov/311 between 4pm on collection day and 9am the day after your collection. Leave the bin out for collection.
Do you have any tips for keeping bins and carts clean, dry and odor free?
• Drain liquids before putting food scraps in your kitchen bin.
• Include soiled paper towels and napkins to help absorb liquids.
• Change your compost bag every 3-4 days.
• Rinse your bin and let it dry before using a new compost bag.
• Keep food scraps in freezer until just before pickup.
• Wrap meat, poultry, and fish in newspaper.
• To get rid of summertime fruit flies, set a trap. Place a small bottle of cider vinegar, with a few drops of dish soap added to it, near your kitchen bin.
• Place your cart out on the curb every week, even if it is not full.
• If there is liquid at the bottom of your cart, dump it onto grass or soil.
• In the summer, line your compost cart with a paper or compostable bag.