FREE COMPOSTING
for Watertown Residents

Join the Town Compost Program

Green compost bin labeled 'Black Earth Compost' on a curb with a hand holding the lid.
Green compost bin labeled 'Black Earth Compost' with various food scraps including pizza slice, banana peel, broccoli, cracked eggshell, chicken bone, lobster claw, coffee filter, and apple core hovering above it.
Seal of Watertown showing a colonial settler and a Native American exchanging a peace pipe, with the year 1630 and the motto 'IN PACE CONDITA'.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CITY OF WATERTOWN
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Spots Limited - Sign Up Today

Includes curbside bin and liners

Clear guidelines on what's compostable

Weekly collection on trash day

Sign Up for FREE

The Easiest Way to Compost

Person lifting the lid of a metal kitchen compost bin filled with food scraps and lined with a green biodegradable bag.
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Line & Fill Your Bin

If it grows, it goes in the bin. We accept all food scraps and more. Certified compostable liners keep your food scraps contained and easy to manage.

What's Compostable
Green compost bin labeled 'Black Earth Compost' on a sidewalk curb with a hand holding the lid.
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We'll Swing By & Empty It

Place your bin on the curb by 6 am. We take the material to our compost facilities that handle the dirty work.

Our Compost Facilities
Green bag of Black Earth Compost leaning against a wooden raised garden bed with strawberry plants growing over the edge.
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Get Compost Back

In the spring, receive FREE compost at the Watertown pick up event. Plus discounts on bulk compost and soil blends delivered to your yard.  

Shop Compost

Compost Program Details

Overview

The City of Watertown, in partnership with Black Earth Compost, is happy to provide free weekly collection of food scraps and other compostable items. Through this program up to 4,000 residents can sign up for curbside pickup.

With compostable waste making up a significant portion of Watertown’s waste stream, this program is a critical step in reducing waste in our community.

The program is first-come, first-serve. The City will maintain a wait list if the program reaches capacity.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate?

This program is only open for residents in buildings with fewer than 8 units that have city-provided trash and recycling pickup. If you have questions about eligibility, please email: 311@watertown-ma.gov.
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If you are not eligible for curbside collection, Watertown provides free drop-off collection of food scraps at its Recycling Center. That option is open to all Watertown residents.

Will I get a bin when I sign up?

New participants will receive a starter kit that includes a latching 13 gallon curbside bin and certified compostable liners for the curbside bin.

Green compost bin labeled 'Black Earth Compost' with a roll of green compostable bags on the floor.
Are bin liners required?

Bin liners are required as they will help keep your bin clean. After the first roll of liners is provided in the starter kit, participants are responsible for securing their own liners. All liners must be certified compostable by Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA), or TUV and have their logo printed directly on each bag. Liners can be purchased through Black Earth in the Shop section of your online account, but you are not required to purchase liners through Black Earth. Doubled-up brown paper bags can also be used as a liner when the temperature is above freezing. Learn more about purchasing liners here.

Will I receive information about what goes in my bin?

Yes, you will receive a detailed compost guide to print and put on your refrigerator about what can and not be composted with our service. In addition you will have an online account to access helpful resources and manage your service.

What are other ways to compost in Watertown?

Watertown provides free drop-off collection of food scraps at the Recycling Center.

Have more questions?

Check out our extensive FAQ or contact us. We're here to help.

Contact Us

What people are saying

Great service. I love that we can compost a broader range of food with curbside composting than we can on our own, meaning less goes into the landfill.
Alan Bunce
The process couldn't be easier - get the bin and the bags, fill it up, put it out on collection day. The free bag of compost each year is a fun extra. Highly recommend.             
Rebecca Bissell
We love Black Earth service and model. It’s easy and convenient. AND our garbage weighs less and never smells because the food waste is separated. Keep up the great work!
Gary Ainsworth
Person chopping celery into small pieces on a wooden cutting board with a large knife.
Infographic showing compostable items categorized as All Food Scraps with images of orange slice, banana peels, chicken bone, broccoli, lobster claw, pizza slice, apple core, and cracked eggshell; Soiled Paper Products with crumpled paper, coffee filter, and used tea bag; Plant Trimmings with yellow-orange flowers; and Certified Compostable Tableware featuring a divided plate, wooden cutlery, a compostable cup, and four compost certification logos.

What Can Go In Your Green Compost Bin

If it grows, it goes!

We accept:

Raw, cooked and spoiled food scraps
More material than any other means of composting, allowing you to reduce your trash up to 40%.
Items not typically accepted in a backyard pile, like meat, bones, dairy, certified compostable packaging and more.
Search an Item
Download & Print the Compost Guide

A Path to a Greener Future

By converting food scraps into compost, we contribute to a healthier planet

Reduce Waste up to 40%

Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Improve Soil Health

Reduce Use of Artificial Fertilizers

Limited Spots Available

Act now to take advantage of the town program

Join Free Program
Pile of assorted food scraps including eggshells, chicken bone, pineapple top, banana peel, lemon, orange peel, and avocado on dark compost soil.