Table of Contents
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GETTING SETUP / BIN QUESTIONS
How can I see if you service my home and the cost?
Enter your address into the green "Pricing" section of the residential pick up page.
Which pick-up frequency do I need?
We offer food scrap collection plans for weekly or every other week pick-up. Plans vary per town. Choose a frequency that will work for you based on the amount of food scraps you generate and the space you have for bin storage. If you choose a frequency that does not work for you, you can switch plans. reminders the night before your pick-up are available for weekly and every other week plans.
Practicing good bin maintenance can lessen the summer heat effects, such as rinsing the bin, storing food scraps in the freezer, keeping liquids out of the bin, sprinkling the bottom of the bin with baking soda, and other simple tricks. Learn more about bin maintenance.
Which curbside bin size should I choose?
Customers can choose between a 13 gallon bin (dimensions 13" w x 13" l x 27" h), with locking lid and wheels or a 4 gallon apartment bin (Dimensions: 10" w, 13.5" h) for curbside pickup. The bin can be kept inside or outside the house.
We recommend the 13 gallon bin as it holds more and is easier to spot on the side of the road. It can also more easily accommodate fluctuations in the amount of compostable waste you have. The 4 gallon works for people who do not have the space to accommodate a 13 gallon bin on their property or have a lot of stairs. If you are just not sure, you can start with the 4 gallon bin and then purchase a 2nd one or switch to the 13 gallon bin through your online account if you decide it is too small. The 4 gallon bin fits under most kitchen sinks so it can also work as a kitchen container or be reused more easily since we don't take bins back.
Do you sell kitchen countertop containers?
You may want to use a smaller kitchen container to empty into the larger bin. We do not sell any but there are many types to choose from and we offer some suggestions here.
What if I can't leave my bin curbside?
Curbside compost bins must be put on the curb like you would your
regular trash can. They must be visible, not hidden behind other trash
receptacles, trees, or snow banks. Bins not on the curb, for instance,
left on a porch or next to the garage, will not be collected.
If you live in an apartment complex or condo and don&#;t have a curb,
you can pick another location that our truck can drive up to and locate
easily. We advise that you check with your building facilities to make
sure it is okay. Then, us here to verify your location.
If you have a long driveway, we offer an extended service plan for an
additional fee that will allow us to come down your driveway. Inquire here to find out more.
Is there a weight limit for my bin?
For 13 gallon bins, the max acceptable weight is 40 lbs. If your bin is continually heavier than 40 lbs we ask that you get a second bin subscription or switch to weekly pick up.
Can I put out two bins?
We offer a service plan for a second 13 gallon bin. Please contact us through the residential contact form to add this service to your account. For infrequent needs, consider ordering yard waste stickers and putting out a yard waste bag with your bin. This works great for parties with lots of soiled paper products.
COMPOSTABLE LINERS
How can I order more compostable liners?
Certified compostable liners for your bin or countertop container are available for purchase in the shop section of your online account. They will be delivered during your next scheduled pickup when ordered by 3:00 PM the day before. Log in to access the Shop.
Do I have to use your compostable liners?
You do not have to use our liners. When purchasing liners elsewhere, they must be certified compostable by BPI, TUV, or CMA and the certification logo must be printed directly on each bag. Look for these trusted brands: BioBag, EcoSafe, Repurpose, & UNNI. They can often be found at Crosby&#;s, Target, Whole Foods, and Amazon. Be aware Amazon do not always ship the product advertised. Check for the certification logo on the bag when you receive your order.
Compostable liners come in a variety of sizes but note that the ones we sell are the proper dimensions for our bins.
Doubled-up brown paper bags can also be used as a liner when the temperature is above freezing.
What are compostable bags?
Compostable bags are made of a corn polymer and have been tested to break down within a certain time frame at industrial compost facilities. Biodegradable bags are not the same as compostable ones.
Can I put my food in plastic bags and then put it in the organics cart?
No! Plastic bags are a contaminant. Your bin will not be emptied if contaminated with plastic.
COLLECTION QUESTIONS
What do I do if my scheduled pick-up was missed?
Log into your online account to check the status of your pickup. If we missed you, please complete the missed pickup form in your account so we can review your stop.
How do I get a replacement bin?
Customers own their bin and are responsible for purchasing a new Black Earth Compost bin in the event it becomes lost, stolen, or damaged. A replacement bin or clip can be purchased through the Shop in your customer account and it will be delivered during your next pickup. Log in to access the Shop.
What if I have more compost than will fit in my bin
We offer a service plan for a second 13 gallon bin. Please contact us through the residential contact form to add this service to your account. For infrequent needs, consider ordering yard waste stickers and putting out a yard waste bag with your bin. This works great for parties with lots of soiled paper products.
How can I minimize odors in my food waste collection container?
Taking a few extra steps to establishing a good system can help reduce flies and smells. Here are some suggestions: We highly recommend the use of a container liner, either a paper bag/newspaper or an approved compostable bag (biodegradable bags are not acceptable). Rinse your bin and countertop container with water after each use and flip it over to fully dry. Compost napkins, paper towels, and other soiled paper to absorb moisture. Avoid pouring liquid into the container and squeeze out wet items. Indoor kitchen containers with a carbon filter trap odor. In the heat of the summer freeze food waste before collection. Sprinkle bottom of container with baking soda (to absorb wetness & odor). Sprinkle bottom of container with white vinegar. Wrap meat and fish in newspaper or paper bags. Keep the bin out of the sun. Check out our bin maintenance tips for additional information.
Can I include yard waste and leaves in my barrel?
Most cities have a separate service that picks up leaves and yard waste. Please inquire with your city. If your city is unable to meet your needs we do offer yard waste collection. Purchase an orange sticker through your account store and slap it on a paper yard waste bag, fill it with yard debris (NO GRASS!), and place it next to your green bin on your regularly scheduled pickup. Acceptable material includes leaves, small plants, and sticks no greater than a half inch round. Grass is only accepted if you participate in an organic yard care program. Please keep yard bags dry until pickup day. Click here for more information about our sticker program.
How do I prevent compost from freezing to the bin in winter?
To prevent compost from freezing to your outdoor bin in winter you can line it with a compostable bag. Double bagged paper grocery bags work great as well. Feeling creative? Roll your compost like a burrito in a newspaper.
Can I compost pizza boxes?
No. Soiled pizza boxes are now accepted by most major recyclers. We recommend recycling your pizza boxes as this is the best end use. We used to accept pizza boxes but have since changed our policy.
Can produce stickers be composted?
Produce stickers are not compostable and do not break down in the compost pile. Please remove stickers from produce before disposal. For a fun and creative way to remember to remove stickers check out our Produce Sticker Sheet Challange.
For more Custom Garden Waste Biodegradable Bagsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
When do I receive my finished compost?
In April, you will receive a printable voucher in your online account for a cubic foot bag of compost, redeemable at participating garden centers. If you do not wish to receive compost we will donate your portion to Backyard Growers. Make sure the donate option is selected in your online account. Yearly vouchers expire on October 1st and can't be saved for the next year or traded in for credit. New customers as of January 15th, will receive a voucher the following year. (Excl. Ipswich, Manchester, and Watertown where compost is distributed through the city.)
MANAGING SERVICE PLAN
How do I change my billing cycle or service frequency?
Please contact us to switch your plan by completing this form or emailing .
Can I transfer my plan to my new address?
Yes! We can transfer service within the same town or to another town we service. Once you know your move date, please complete our address change form through your online account. Log in, go to the Account & Billing drop down menu and select Change Service Address. If the service plans are different in your new town, we will transfer the remaining time on your current plan over to a new plan.
How do I cancel my compost pick-up subscription?
You can set your plan to cancel at any time through your online account. Log in, go to the Account & Billing drop-down menu, and select Cancel Service to get to the cancellation page.
We do not take your curbside bin back. It is yours to reuse, recycle, or hold onto if you plan to resume service in the future. Watertown residents moving out of Watertown, please leave the Watertown bin at the property for the next residents. If you had a Watertown bin delivered but never used it, you may bring it back to the Watertown DPW. This only applies to Watertown sealed bins that are new and unused.
ABOUT COMPOSTING
What are organics?
In the compost world, organics refers to materials that were once alive and will break down naturally to be turned into compost (nutrient-rich soil). This term is not to be confused with organic food that complies with organic methods of farming. Examples of organics that are accepted in the compost bin are listed on the &#;Composting Guide&#; page.
Why is composting better than putting food scraps in the garbage disposal?
A decrease in the use of garbage disposals results in water and electricity savings. Food scraps are organics, which increase Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) at our wastewater treatment plant, adding to the cost of treating our wastewater. By removing these organics, the treatment plant can function more efficiently, saving daily cost of operation while also helping marine wildlife and habitat, thus improving the quality of our estuaries and waterways.
What&#;s so great about compost?
By composting, you are turning what would otherwise be waste into a resource that can be used again. Not only is this resource valuable, but instrumental in securing a healthy local food system. When you compost with Black Earth Compost your efforts become part of a bigger, more resilient system. The finished compost is available for you to use and is used by local farms that grow food that is sold in grocery stores and restaurants, returning your nutrients to you in their most nourishing form. Not only is the big picture cool, but all the microbes, bacteria, and insects that make it possible are pretty cool too! The same genus of bacteria that inhabit hot springs and deep sea thermal vents are also found in the compost pile when it&#;s at its hottest temperature.
Where will the collected food scraps be composted?
We compost at several locations that we manage or are in partnerships with that are permitted by the MASS Department of Environmental Protection or MASS Dept of Agriculture to accept food waste for composting. These locations include partnerships with cities, local farms, and private land. Learn about our compost sites here.
Can my pet get sick from compost?
Always keep compost carts out of the reach of pets. As organic material decomposes, mold can grow. Some forms are toxic to pets.
On this page:
What is biodegradable plastic and how does it differ from other types of plastic?
The term &#;biodegradable&#; when used for marketing purposes includes a time component regarding the length of time it takes for the plastic to fully degrade. According to the Federal Trade Commission&#;s &#;Green Guides&#;: &#;It is deceptive to make an unqualified degradable claim for items entering the solid waste stream if the items do not completely decompose within one year after customary disposal. Unqualified degradable claims for items that are customarily disposed in landfills, incinerators, and recycling facilities are deceptive because these locations do not present conditions in which complete decomposition will occur within one year."
Plastics are derived from organic products. The materials used in the production of plastics are natural products such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and, of course, crude oil. Crude oil is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds. To become useful, it must be processed.
The production of plastic begins with a distillation process in an oil refinery involving the separation of heavy crude oil into lighter groups called fractions. Each fraction is a mixture of hydrocarbon chains (chemical compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen), which differ in terms of the size and structure of their molecules. One of these fractions, naphtha, is the crucial element for the production of plastics.1
Most petroleum-based plastic is not readily biodegradable; ie. it is not consumed by microorganisms and returned to compounds found in nature. What this means is that unless the petroleum-based plastic has been specifically designed to biodegrade, and although it may partially degrade, the plastic may last in the environment for tens to potentially hundreds of years, depending on the type of plastic and its disposal environment. The two major processes used to produce plastics are called polymerisation and polycondensation, and they both require specific catalysts. In a polymerisation reactor, monomers like ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymers chains. Each polymer has its own properties, structure and size depending on the various types of basic monomers used and that influence properties such as moldability and rigidity.
What is the difference between biodegradable plastic and compostable plastic?
Plastic that is compostable is biodegradable, but not every plastic that is biodegradable is compostable. Whereas biodegradable plastic may be engineered to biodegrade in soil or water, compostable plastic refers to biodegradation into soil conditioning material (i.e., compost) under a certain set of conditions. In order for a plastic to be labeled as commercially &#;compostable&#; it must able to be broken down by biological treatment at a commercial or industrial composting facility. Composting utilizes microorganisms, heat and humidity to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass that is similar in characteristic to the rest of the finished compost product. Decomposition of the plastic must occur at a rate similar to the other elements of the material being composted (within 6 months) and leave no toxic residue that would adversely impact the ability of the finished compost to support plant growth. ASTM Standards D and D outline the specifications that must be met in order to label a plastic as commercially &#;compostable&#;. There are currently no ASTM standard test methods in place for evaluating the ability of a plastic to compost in a home environment.
What are biobased plastics?
Biobased plastics are manufactured from plant materials instead of being made from oil or natural gas. Because they are plant based, there is a tendency to assume that this type of plastic must be biodegradable. However, biobased plastics can be designed to be structurally identical to petroleum based plastics, and if designed in this way, they can last in the environment for the same period of time as petroleum based plastic. Just as with petroleum-based plastics, biobased plastic can be engineered to be biodegradable or to be compostable.
The ability of biobased plastics to be recycled varies. Some forms of biobased plastic cannot be recycled together with petroleum-based plastics due to chemical structure incompatibility, while other biobased plastics may have compatible chemical structures that allow for recycling together with petroleum-based plastics. In order to determine what waste disposal options are available for a biobased plastic item, it is necessary to read the product&#;s label as to its compostability and recyclability.
Which organizations are responsible for creating standards and enforcing correct labeling of biodegradable and compostable plastics?
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) sets definitions and standards, while the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcement against false or deceptive product labeling.
If a plastic product is labeled &#;compostable,&#; can I add it to my home compost pile?
No. Unless the label indicates that the product is okay for home composting, you should not try to compost it at home. Plastic that is labeled as compostable is generally intended to be sent to an industrial or commercial composting facility which has higher temperatures and different breakdown conditions than those found in a typical homeowner&#;s compost bin. If your community has a residential compost collection program, check with your local government or recycling company to find out if they will accept compostable plastic under this program.
What if my community doesn&#;t have a composting recycling pick-up program. Should I dispose of compostable plastic in the plastic recycling pick-up bins?
No. Compostable plastics are not intended for recycling and can contaminate and disrupt the recycling stream if intermixed with petroleum-based plastics that are non-compostable. If your community does not have a composting recycling pick-up program that accepts compostable plastic, contact your garbage/recycling company or local government to find out if there are any drop-off locations for your compostable plastic items.
What do I do with plastic caps (on water bottles and other bottles)? Do I leave them on or take them off before disposing the bottle in the recycling bin?
Until recently, many consumers were advised to take the caps off and dispose of them in the garbage can before placing the bottle in the recycling bin. However, processing technology has improved to the extent that the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers now recommends that plastic lids be left on the containers as they are placed in the recycling bins. At facilities with newer processing technology, the bottles (with caps on) will be ground into flakes before being washed and the cap flakes separated from the bottle flakes during a water bath float/sink process and then both types of plastic can then be captured and recycled. Note, however, that due to the fact that not all recyclers may have equipment that enables processing of the bottles with caps left on, that you should check with your local recycling facility to see what their policy is with regard to disposal of the bottle caps.
Should I be placing single-use, non-compostable plastic bags in the recycling bin?
Contact your local government or recycling company to find out whether this practice is allowed, as policies on this vary. Loose plastic bags are difficult to handle in the recycling stream and can clog equipment. Some recycling companies allow recycling of single use bags if they are bundled together in a tight, tied package. Many supermarkets and &#;big box&#; stores have recycling bins for the collection of single-use plastic bags.
What is the purpose of plastic bag bans?
The Pollution Prevention Act establishes a national objective for environmental protection: &#;[T]hat pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible.&#; Similarly, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act sets the order of preference for managing materials as: source reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal.
With these objectives in mind, a number of communities are initiating bans of plastic bags that are intended for single use, such as those commonly provided in grocery stores. The rationale behind the bag bans includes the following:
- They are typically made out of petroleum-based plastic and don&#;t biodegrade when they are disposed of or escape into the environment;
- when plastic bags are disposed of on land they may be blown into creeks, lakes, or oceans where they can entangle marine life or the animals may mistakenly eat the plastic bags thinking that they are food;
- the light-weight plastic is not easily recyclable; and
- the bags are often used only once before being thrown away.
The various bag bans differ but typically contain many of the same elements:
- Replacement bags typically must be compostable or recyclable. That means that if the replacement bags are made of plastic, the plastic must either be compostable and labeled as such, or the bag must be heavier and thicker such that it won&#;t interfere with the industrial recycling process, is washable, can carry more weight, and be used multiple times (as many as 125 uses).
- Replacement paper bags are typically required to be made of 40% recycled paper and be 100% recyclable.
- Many plastic bag bans require retailers to charge a fee per replacement bag which is kept by the retailer.
- The purpose of the fee is to both to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags (minimizing the need to manufacture new bags) and to cover the cost to the retailer of providing bags that are other than single use.
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