Frequently Asked Questions

The pickup empties your bucket into the Borough compost truck each week.  You can rinse your empty bucket out with a hose.  You can also line it with a paper grocery bag if you wish.  Most people keep a small (2-quart or so) container at their sink and empty it into the yellow program bucket, which they leave outside.  Smells are not noticeable if you empty your indoor container on a daily basis.  Your inside container should have a tight lid to prevent fruit flies in the summer.

No. They do not have time to. Use a paper bag as a liner instead.

Screw top lids rule!

Some participants have found success using a Screw Top Bucket Lid, available from the Home Depot website and other places.

As long as it is in a bucket.

Yes! Curbside Compost includes both yard waste and food scraps. We ask that you put your yard waste in a recycled paper yard waste bag (available at Deals and other hardware-type stores). Please do not overfill yard bags. Do not use plastic trash bags or plastic bag liners for yard waste. Sticks / branches are accepted provided they are no wider than four inches in diameter and no longer than four feet. Sticks / branches larger than 2 inches in diameter cannot be placed inside the bags and must be bundled separately.

Flies and bugs may increase in the summer for some people. Tips:  Keep the lid on at all times.  Keep the contents as cool and dry as possible. Store the bucket outside in a shady place.  Occasionally add shredded paper or dry yard waste.  Line the bucket with a paper grocery bag.  Rinse out the bucket every week after Public Works empties it.