What is Organics Recyclable?

Acceptable Materials


  • All food scraps: Fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, eggs, dairy, peels, pits
  • Coffee grounds, filters, tea bags, wood stir sticks
  • Paper towels, napkins, and tissues
  • Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
  • Paper egg cartons
  • Paper bags
  • Hair, fur, nail trimmings
  • Wood popsicle sticks, chopsticks, and toothpicks
  • Houseplant trimmings and flowers
  • Certified compostable bags (BPI certified)
  • Certified compostable products (BPI or Cedar Grove certified)
  • Soiled pizza boxes (if not soiled, please recycle in cardboard recycling)

Unacceptable Materials


  • Grass, leaves, or yard waste of any kind
  • Plastic bags, plastic utensils, or plastic/metal condiment cups
  • Metal or glass of any kind
  • Dead animals, pet waste, litter or bedding
  • Fast food wrappers
  • Frozen food boxes
  • Microwave popcorn bags
  • Paper plates, bowls, and cups without BPI certification
  • Single serve coffee cups
  • Wood, liquids, diapers, trash, or other items that cannot be composted
  • Chewing gum (Ms. House's MAHS 8th Graders*)

Check out the Waste Warrior Guide at the bottom of the Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management website to figure out if other items can go in the Organics Recycling.

Have questions? Suggestions for the Acceptable/Unacceptable materials lists? Email Sydney!


* Indicating that this group/individual asked about the item specifically.