What is Organics Recyclable?

Acceptable Materials


All Foodvegetable peelings, cheese curds, drumstick, celery, and half eaten cheeseburger

  • Fruits and vegetables 
  • Meat, fish, and bones
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs and eggshells 
  • Peels and pitsa used napkin and coffee filter

Food Soiled Paper

  • Pizza boxes 
  • Paper bags
  • Paper egg cartons 
  • Napkins and paper towels
  • Paper towel and toilet paper rolls

Other Organics Recyclables

  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Facial tissues, cotton balls and swabs with paper stems 
  • Houseplants and flowers 
  • Wooden items: chopsticks, toothpicks, popsicle sticks
  • Hair, fur, and nail trimmings
  • BPI certified cups, plates, bowls,Logo for Biodegradable Products Institute, a green leaf and tree drawn in a open circle above "BP utensils, and containers. Look for this BPI logo on certified compostable items!

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.

Setting up Organics Recycling in your home? Download the Household Organics Guide (PDF)!

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


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