Less Trash.
More Impact.
Zero Hassle.

Curbside Food Scrap Collection

Make a Difference From Your Home

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

Line & Fill Your Bin

If it grows, it goes in the bin. We accept all food scraps, much more than a backyard compost pile. 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.

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.

Get Compost Back

In the spring, you'll receive a voucher for a cubic foot bag of compost and discounts on bulk compost and soil blends. (excl. Ipswich, Manchester, and Watertown)

Shop Compost

Flexible Pickup Pricing for Residents

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Choose a Plan & Starter Kit

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

Where do my food scraps go?

Your food scraps travel just a few short miles to one of Black Earth's compost facilities to be turned into compost! Then, every spring, every customer can claim a voucher for a free bag of compost. With what's left, we partner with local farms and non-profits to grow food in New England. This process creates a circular economy and returns valuable nutrients to back to our local soil!

Our Compost Facilities

Farm & Community Partners

Aerial view of a compost facility with long rows of dark and light compost piles and machinery around a white-roofed building.

A young boy shoveling soil from a large pile into containers while adults with wheelbarrows work in a community garden near a church and houses.

Aerial view of a community garden with several raised beds filled with lush green plants and a person sitting on the grass in the upper right corner.

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. Highly recommend.

Alan Bunce

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

We've now had this service for two years and we LOVE it. We barely have to think about it. The process couldn't be easier - get the bin and the bags, fill it up, put it out on collection day.

Kate Peterson

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the bin smell or attract pests?

Frequent pick ups and certified compostable bin liners make managing your food scraps easy. The locking lid on the bin keeps pest out and the small size allows you to keep the bin in a variety of locations.

What food scraps can go in the bin?

We accept all food scraps, soiled paper products, plant trimmings and certified compostable tableware. This can make up to 40% of your waste. For a detailed list download our compost guide and check out our What's Compostable page for more information.

What if I don't have a garden?

No worries. You can choose to donate your free bag of compost to Backyard Growers.

How do I get compostable liners?

You can order compostable liners through your online account and they will be delivered on your next service day.

I live in an apartment. Can I still sign up?

Yes. There needs to be a curbside location you can leave your bin for the driver to access. We offer an apartment sized bin for smaller storage areas. See Apartments & Condos for more information.

More FAQs