The bin rules
What can I compost?
When in doubt: compost the food, skip the plastic. Here's the full list.
Yes, please
Food scraps
- · Fruits and vegetables
- · Coffee grounds, coffee filters, most tea bags
- · Dairy products
- · Egg shells
- · All meat, shellfish, and fish products
- · Pasta, breads, cereals, baked goods
- · Leftovers from cooked meals
- · Baking ingredients, spices, and herbs
- · Candy and snack food
Paper & packaging
- · Soiled napkins, paper towels, toilet paper rolls, cotton balls
- · Paper plates and cups (even wax-coated)
- · Pizza boxes (tear them to fit)
- · Paper egg cartons
- · Paper cupcake liners
- · Other paper food packaging
Organic materials
- · Flowers and household plants
- · Hair and nail clippings
- · Pet food and pet hair
Certified compostables
Anything labeled "BPI Certified Compostable" or "ASTM D6400".
Please don't
- × Plastic and Styrofoam
- × Metal, including aluminum foil and cans
- × Glass
- × Anything covered in heavy cleaning products
- × Shiny wrapping paper
-
× Anything labeled merely "biodegradable"
(the word has no industry standard; look for "BPI Certified" or "ASTM D6400" instead)
Not sure about something?
Just ask. Email info@compostnashville.org
or call (615) 398-0209. We'd rather you ask than guess.
Ready to put it in practice?
Sign up for residential pickup, request a commercial or event quote, or drop off at our community location.