Compost

TEMPORARY SERVICE CHANGE

Compost carts will be collected on the regular schedule; however, paper leaf bag collection will be reduced from a maximum of 10 bags per week to 5 bags per week until further notice. Customers can take leaf bags to several drop off locations around town.

Boise has been composting since June 2017, and the program has been an overwhelming success. Since the launch, we have collected over 70,000 tons of compostable material! Completed compost is available at our pick-up sites at the Idaho Botanical Garden and Joplin Rd. Residents can pick-up two cubic yards per year for free.

• Curbside compost collection is weekly and unlimited. Place any overflow compost in paper bags next to your cart
• No plastic please! Put your compost in paper bags or loose in the cart
• Double check your yard waste for dog toys, such as balls and frisbees
• Just because something says 'compostable' does not mean it can go in your compost cart. Compostable bags and trays are made to break down in a landfill and cannot be processed at our facility.

Watch the video below for a quick overview.

Leaves accumulate quickly as colder weather sets in, so start collecting leaves as soon as they begin to fall.

Leaves are collected each week, so you don't need to wait to fill leaf bags and set them out on the curb for pick up. Simply fill your compost cart first, place extra leaves in paper leaf bags and set out on the curb on your scheduled collection day. To help ensure we can pick up everyone’s leaf bags in a timely manner, we’re asking customers to set out no more than 5 leaf bags per week. If you set out more than 5 bags per week, they will still be collected, but it may take several weeks to collect the rest.

We will collect bags every week until the bags are gone. Once your compost cart has been emptied, and you still have some leaf bags remaining at the curb, feel free to take your cart inside. There will be another truck that will come by within a day or two to collect multiple bags.

Drop Off Locations (Free)

Residential customers can also take paper leaf bags (no plastic bags) to several drop off sites from October 20 to December 10. No contractors (landscaping companies) are permitted to use the containers.

• Elm Grove Park: Open every day
• Cassia Park: Open every day
• Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park: Open every day (dirt road on north end of the park)
• Joplin Road Compost Pick-up Site – 12142 Joplin Rd. Boise, ID: Open every day (Look for large blue container just off Joplin Rd at the bottom of the hill)
• Ada County Landfill (October 21 to December 12) - 10300 Seaman’s Gulch Rd. Boise, ID: Open Monday - Saturday

Additional Leaf Drop Off Locations (Available Nov. 9)

• Simplot Sports Complex, 2401 E. Lake Forest Dr. Boise (the smaller parking lot nearest the baseball fields located off of E Grand Forest Drive)
• Willow Lane Park: 4623 W. Willow Lane, Boise
• Borah Park: 801 S. Aurora Dr., Boise
• Fairmont Park: 7925 W. Northview St., Boise

Material is delivered to both sites Monday through Friday as available. Compost is available on a first come, first serve basis. 

You can pick up compost at:

Idaho Botanical Garden | 2355 N. Penitentiary Road. Boise, ID 83702 
Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday, normal business hours – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Joplin Road Compost Site | 12142 W Joplin Rd, Boise, ID 83714
Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
View Map

Compost is delivered to a site as it becomes available.

Ongoing pick-up of finished compost is self-serve. Come prepared to load your own compost with shovels and sturdy containers (e.g. bags, boxes, buckets). Limit two cubic yards per customer per year. Compost is available for Boise participating compost customers only; no commercial use is permitted. For more information, please contact us.

Uses

Application for lawn improvement, mulch around trees and plants at your home for landscaping and as a soil amendment for vegetable gardens. 

View Collection Guide

Accepted Materials

• Leaves, tree branches, stumps, and limbs (up to 4 ft in length and less than 60 pounds)
• Grass
• Fruits and vegetables
• Yard and garden waste
• Coffee grounds, coffee filters, tea bags and egg shells
• Pine cones and needles

Not Accepted

• Dairy
• Fats, oils and grease
• Pet waste
• Plastics
• Grains, bread and pasta
• Meat, fish, bones or any other animal by product
• Rocks
• Soil
• Sod

Watch the video for a quick tutorial on how to keep your compost cart clean.

Other Cart Tips

A few simple steps will keep your new compost cart clean and reduce potential odors.

• Set out cart every week (even when it's not full). Regular collection will make sure material doesn't sit in your cart too long.
• Line your cart with newspaper or a piece of cardboard to keep material from sticking to the bottom of your cart.
• Store cart in cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
• Place kitchen scraps in layers between grass, leaves or other garden material.
• Use paper bags (not plastic, biodegradable, nor compostable) to keep kitchen scraps contained.

Cart Sizes

Residential customers can request larger cart sizes, if needed. Cart sizes are available in 48, 65 and 95 gallons.

• If your cart needs to be cleaned, rinse out your cart with a hose and dump rinse water out on your lawn (not in a storm drain).

• Compost collection is unlimited. Simply fill your cart first, then place any extra materials in paper leaf bags and set out next to your cart for collection.
• Finished compost is available free to participating residents.
• Only compost program participants receive year-round leaf collection.
• By participating in the compost program, customers receive the lowest rate.
• Compost cart is conveniently serviced the same day as your trash.

In addition to our permanent compost giveback location at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, the City of Boise is pleased to offer neighborhood compost giveback. This is a great opportunity to build community and pick up free compost close to home. The program is free to participate for all City of Boise neighborhoods.

Applications are now open for Fall 2020

Apply

How It Works

Representatives of homeowners’ associations, neighborhood associations, local organizations, or private individuals representing their communities may apply for the compost giveback. They must detail a location for drop off and a plan for distribution of the compost. Once submitted, the City of Boise will review the application to ensure that it meets requirements. If the application is approved, a City of Boise representative will contact the applicant within 12 days to finalize details and approximately 25 cubic yards of compost will be delivered at the designated site at an agreed upon date and time.

Applicant Responsibilities

Applicants are responsible for the following:

• Completing an application and waiver for compost delivery
• Designating a drop-off location for the compost delivery (see details below)
• Developing a plan and strategy to safely use/distribute all material within 72 hours of drop-off
• Collecting waivers from individuals who collect compost (the city will provide these)

Additional Requirements

• All applicants and delivery sites must be within Boise city limits.
• Each applicant must have one primary organizer to serve as a contact point.
• Compost is for personal use only. It is prohibited to sell, re-sell or trade any goods or services for compost.

Drop Off Sites

Applicants must designate a location that meets the following area requirements:

Compost placement area: 40 feet x 20 feet x 10 feet (LxWxH)

Delivery truck accessibility: At least 70 feet for turnaround and maneuvering

Site location must be on private property and must not block storm drains, roadways or sidewalks and must be safe for delivery and loading material.

Please Note: compost deliveries are made between 7:30am and 3:30pm Monday through Friday

Questions? Contact us.