Food Scraps Composting FAQs & Accepted Materials

Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic materials, such as food scraps, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment called compost. Microorganisms break down these materials in a controlled environment, transforming food waste into something beneficial for the soil.Why is composting important?When food scraps are buried in landfills, they often decompose without sufficient oxygen, producing methane—a greenhouse gas significantly more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.Composting helps:Reduce landfill waste: Keeps food scraps out of landfills and extends available landfill capacity.Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Helps prevent methane emissions associated with food waste decomposing in landfills.Improve soil health: Adds valuable organic matter and nutrients to soil.Conserve water: Compost improves soil structure and helps soil retain moisture.Support local sustainability: Turns discarded food into a useful resource rather than waste.Garbage Gurus makes participation easy by collecting food scraps directly from homes and businesses for delivery to the local composting program.

Summit County's food-scraps composting program accepts FOOD SCRAPS ONLY. Unlike some commercial composting programs elsewhere, it does not accept general compostable packaging, paper products, or yard waste.Accepted food scraps include:Fruits and vegetablesFresh, cooked, or spoiled fruits and vegetablesPeels, skins, rinds, cores, and seedsVegetable trimmings and scrapsMeat, seafood, and animal productsBeef, pork, poultry, and other meat scrapsFish and seafoodBonesEggs and eggshellsCheese, yogurt, and other dairy productsBread, grains, and prepared foodsBread, pastries, and baked goodsRice, pasta, cereal, and grainsCooked leftoversOther prepared food scrapsOther accepted food materialsCoffee grounds (without filters)Loose tea leaves (without tea bags)Nuts and nutshellsFood scraps from meal preparationThe simplest rule: If it's food, it can generally go in your compost bucket.Remove all packaging, stickers, wrappers, and other non-food materials before placing scraps in your bucket.

To protect the composting process and prevent contamination, anything other than accepted food scraps must stay out of your compost bucket.The following materials are prohibited:Bags and packagingPlastic bags and linersCompostable or biodegradable bagsFood wrappers and packagingPlastic film and containersProduce stickersPaper and disposable productsPaper towels, napkins, and tissuesCoffee filters and tea bagsPaper plates, cups, and bowlsPizza boxes, including greasy cardboardCompostable takeout containersCardboard and paper packagingYard and household wasteGrass clippings, leaves, and branchesFlowers and garden trimmingsSoil, rocks, and woodHair and vacuum cleaner contentsDryer lintAnimal wasteDog or cat wasteCat litterOther pet wasteRecyclables and trashGlass, metal, and plasticAluminum foilBottles and cansHousehold garbageCleaning wipes and sanitary productsEven products labeled "compostable," "biodegradable," or "plant-based" are not accepted unless specifically approved by the local composting facility.When in doubt, leave it out. Keeping compost buckets free of contamination protects the entire program.

Yes! Summit County's food-scraps composting program accepts meat, bones, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.Unlike many backyard composting systems, commercial composting operations can manage a wider variety of food materials under controlled processing conditions.Examples of accepted materials include:Raw or cooked meatChicken and other poultry scrapsFish and seafoodMeat and poultry bonesCheese and yogurtEggs and eggshellsLeftovers containing meat or dairyThese materials should be placed directly into your approved food-scraps bucket without packaging.Important: Meat, bones, and dairy can attract wildlife and produce odors. Always keep your bucket tightly sealed and stored in a secure location between collections.

No. Summit County does not accept compostable or biodegradable bags, cups, plates, utensils, or other disposable products in its food-scraps composting program.Although these products may be marketed as environmentally friendly, they do not necessarily break down under the conditions used by the local composting facility.Some require specialized industrial processing, while others can leave behind fragments or materials that contaminate finished compost.This includes products labeled:Certified compostableBiodegradablePlant-basedMade from cornstarchPLA or other compostable plasticsBPI-certified compostableA compostable label does not automatically mean an item is accepted locally.To keep the program clean and efficient, Summit County focuses exclusively on food scraps.Place food scraps directly into your approved collection bucket without disposable liners.

Garbage Gurus follows Summit County's food-scraps-only collection requirements to help ensure the material we deliver can be properly composted.Buckets containing prohibited materials may not be collected.Examples of contamination include:Plastic or compostable bagsFood wrappers and packagingPaper towels or napkinsProduce stickersDisposable cups or utensilsPet wasteRecyclables or household trashIf contamination is identified, our driver may leave the bucket uncollected.What should you do?Remove all prohibited materials from the bucket.If the contents are heavily contaminated and cannot be separated, dispose of them as regular trash.Ensure future collections contain only accepted food scraps.Contact Garbage Gurus if you need clarification about an item.Contamination can compromise an entire load of compostable material, increasing processing costs and potentially causing otherwise acceptable food scraps to be discarded.Please help us keep Summit County's composting program clean by following the food-scraps-only rule.

Garbage Gurus uses an approved 3.5-gallon food-scraps collection bucket with a secure, screw-top lid, typically identified by its red lid.This bucket is designed to help contain food scraps, reduce odors, and minimize spills during storage and collection.Bucket requirements:Approved 3.5-gallon collection bucketSecure screw-top lidLid fully closed between usesNo loose food scraps outside the bucketNo prohibited bags or liners insideBucket accessible at the designated pickup locationWhy is the screw-top lid important?Food scraps can produce odors that attract wildlife. A properly closed bucket helps contain odors and reduces the chance of accidental spills.However, an airtight bucket is not bear-resistant and should not be left outdoors where wildlife can access it.For the safest storage, keep your bucket inside a garage or another secure, wildlife-resistant location until collection.

Garbage Gurus offers two convenient ways to collect your food scraps: Curbside Service and Valet Service.Curbside Food Scraps PickupWith curbside collection, you are responsible for placing your approved bucket at the designated collection location on your scheduled pickup day.How it works:Collect food scraps in your approved bucket.Keep the lid securely closed.Place the bucket at the designated curbside collection point by the required set-out time.Garbage Gurus empties the bucket.Retrieve your empty bucket after collection.Curbside service is ideal for customers looking for a straightforward, economical option.Valet Food Scraps PickupWith valet service, Garbage Gurus handles the collection and return of your bucket from an approved location on your property.How it works:Collect food scraps in your approved bucket.Store the bucket in your garage, shed, or another approved location.Provide access instructions when establishing service.Our driver retrieves and empties the bucket.We return the bucket to its designated storage location and provide photo confirmation.Valet service is especially convenient for second homes, busy households, and customers who prefer not to transport their bucket to the curb.Learn more: https://www.welovegarbagegurus.com/food-scraps-for-composting

Food scraps can attract bears, raccoons, rodents, and other wildlife, particularly in Colorado's mountain communities.The safest option is to store your food-scraps bucket inside a secured garage or another wildlife-resistant enclosure.Recommended storage practices:Keep the screw-top lid tightly closed.Store buckets indoors whenever possible.Avoid leaving buckets on open porches or decks.Never leave food scraps accessible to bears or other wildlife.Keep the exterior of the bucket clean and free of food residue.Follow local wildlife and waste-storage regulations.Use an approved, secure collection location for pickup.Remember: A sealed food-scraps bucket is not the same as a bear-resistant container.Garbage Gurus valet collection can eliminate the need to move your bucket to the curb, allowing collection directly from an approved garage or secure storage location.This is especially helpful for second homes and properties where wildlife activity is common.

Garbage Gurus offers food-scraps collection on established service routes, with available pickup frequencies depending on your location and selected service plan.Available collection options may include:Weekly collectionBiweekly collectionYour exact pickup day and frequency will be confirmed when your service is established.Important collection reminders:Curbside customers must have their buckets ready by the required set-out time.Valet customers must ensure the designated collection location is accessible.Buckets must be properly closed and free of contamination.Holiday schedules, severe weather, and operational conditions may affect collection timing.If your collection schedule changes, Garbage Gurus will communicate applicable updates.For questions about your pickup day, contact our team or refer to your service confirmation.

Getting started with Garbage Gurus food-scraps composting is simple.To start new service:Visit our online ordering page.Enter your service address.Review available food-scraps collection options.Select curbside or valet service, where available.Choose your preferred collection frequency.Complete your registration and provide any necessary access instructions.Start Service: https://www.welovegarbagegurus.com/start-serviceAlready a customer?If you need to change your pickup frequency, update your collection location, modify garage access instructions, or request another service adjustment, contact Garbage Gurus.Our team can help review available options for your property.Questions about commercial composting?Businesses interested in food-scraps collection should contact Garbage Gurus to discuss available containers, collection schedules, and pricing.Garbage Gurus — Less Waste. Less Hassle. More Sustainability.