What can I put into my yard and food waste container?
Fill your container with organic materials from your yard, garden and kitchen. The list includes: grass clippings, leaves, branches and trimmings, food waste from your kitchen such as fruit and vegetable peels, leftovers, stale bakery goods, meat scraps, seafood and dairy. Coffee grounds and filters are also accepted. Click here for a full guide on what's accepted.
What items are not allowed in my yard and food waste container?
Plastic bags, bags and other service ware labeled "compostable", used pizza boxes, paper coffee cups, and other non-organic materials are not accepted. These items go in the garbage. Click here for a full guide on what's accepted.
Can newspaper or paper bags go in the food and yard waste container as a liner?
A paper bag or a small amount of newspaper used to line the kitchen container or wrap food waste is acceptable. Both newspaper and brown paper sacks break down quickly at the compost facility.
Why aren’t "compostable bags" or other service ware labeled as "compostable" allowed?
Bags and other items labeled as "compostable" require a unique, industrial composting process to break down. The facility where Tacoma sends our food and yard waste cannot break down these items, and they are considered contamination in the food and yard waste loads.
Why aren’t paper coffee cups accepted?
Disposable paper coffee cups usually have a thin plastic lining to keep the cup from leaking. This plastic cannot be composted or recycled. A small number of cities in the United States have the ability to compost or recycle paper coffee cups, but in Tacoma, paper coffee cups belong in the garbage.
Should pet waste go into the yard and food waste container?
No. Because of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, pet waste should never be mixed into food and yard waste. Pet waste should be always be bagged and placed in the garbage.
What happens to yard and food waste that we set out for collection?
Tacoma's food and yard waste materials are processed at a facility called the Compost Factory in Puyallup, WA where they are processed into compost.
What if I need another food and yard waste container?
There is no extra charge to receive bi-weekly collection of up to two 90-gallon brown food and yard waste containers. A third food and yard waste container is available for $3/month. Call City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management (253) 502-2100 for more information.