Composting 101

Why Compost

Putting biodegradable items in the compost bin instead of the trash is one of the easiest and most effective first steps you can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It also turns what would be “garbage” into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that restores our farmland and promotes sustainable agriculture. Not bad for one little bin!

Curbside Composting Guidelines

Download curbside composting guidelines for Boulder County

Your curbside compost goes to an industrial composting facility where giant compost piles can reach up to 150 degrees, allowing them to break down many of the items that wouldn’t break down in your backyard compost pile. This process also destroys pathogens, making it safe to compost paper towels, tissues and raw meat. Within four months, your leftover food can be returned to the earth to feed plants or improve degraded land.

Is it compostable? Which product labels you can trust, and which are greenwash.

Is it compostable? Download compost product guidelines to know which items are safe for curbside composting.

Local Resources for Bins

McGuckin's in Boulder sells Sure Close composting kits with certified-compostable liner bags (see photo, right).

McGuckin Hardware
2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder
303-443-1822

Compost Drop-off Locations in Boulder County

Boulder:

Eco-Cycle CHaRM: Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials

Longmont:

Longmont Waste Diversion Center

Composting FAQs:

Q: How do I avoid fruit flies?

A: Here are 3 things you can do. 1 - If you keep a collection bin inside, put your food scraps container in the refrigerator or freezer. This will prevent fruit flies, odors and mold. Just don’t forget to label it. 2 - Frequently empty your compost collection container into your backyard or curbside bin. 3 - Bury your food scraps in your outdoor bin or pile under a layer of leaves, grass clippings or even some newspaper. Fruit flies do not burrow and burying the discards makes it more difficult for them to find a permanent home in your bin.

Q: How do I get rid of fruit flies?

Trap fruit flies with this easy to make trap

A: Try this home-made fruit fly trap.

Supplies:

Yogurt or deli tub (8, 16, 32 oz work fine) with lid, clean and dry
Scissors
Paperclip or small piece of tape
Rectangular piece of scrap paper, at least 3 in. x 5 in.
A few ounces of vinegar (red cider vinegar works best, but all produce results. If using white vinegar, a small scrap of fruit will help attract the fruit flies)
Optional: small scrap of fruit

Steps:

Cut a small circle, at least the size of a dime, into the lid.
Roll the paper diagonally to create a funnel
Fit the funnel inside the hole, narrow part pointing down, with at least an inch of the funnel sticking out below the lid.
Secure the funnel with a small piece of tape, or a paper clip.
Fill the bottom of the yogurt tub with vinegar, at least ¾-inch deep. You may add small scrap of fruit, like an apple core, to the vinegar.
Secure the lid with the funnel onto the tub. There should be some space between the bottom of the funnel and the vinegar.
You're done!

How it works: Flies become attracted to the fruity scent, fly through the funnel and get stuck in the vinegar. The trap is easy to clean and set up again. Just replace the vinegar and funnel. Optional: Use and reuse folded-over packing tape instead of paper.