Residential Compost Program
In Boise, we’ve made composting easy! Boiseans get a green-lidded compost cart for curbside composting, and with 97% of residents participating, we’re able to compost over a third of all collected residential waste each year. Composting preserves space in our landfill, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, builds healthy soils and supports more nutritious, local food.
Compost Collection
- Curbside compost is collected once a week, all year round.
- View your collection schedule.
- Learn more about what can go in your compost cart, and what can't.
- Place accepted compostable materials in your green compost cart. Overflow? Use paper leaf bags—up to 10 leaf bags per week will be picked up. Be sure to place your compost cart out three feet away from your leaf bags. It’s used to help load the bags into the compost truck.
- Missed pick-up? Contact Republic Services:
Email or Call (208) 345-1266
- Finished compost is available for participating Boise households.
- Use compost.
- Check compost availability.
Food Scrap Drop Off
Don’t have a compost cart? You can still compost!
Join our free Food Scrap Drop Off Program and bring your food scraps to a neighborhood drop-off site.
What Can You Compost?
Compost It!
- Yard Trimmings: leaves, grass, garden trimmings, pinecones or pine needles
- Branches & Limbs: cut to fit in your compost cart
- Food Scraps:
- Fruits, veggies, eggshells, breads, grains, rice, pasta and coffee grounds
- Meat, fish, dairy, bones, skin and fat trimmings
- Food scraps and leftovers prepared with cooking-grade fats like butter, olive oil or vegetable oil
- Wood and Paper Kitchen Waste: paper bags, coffee filters, tea bags, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, wooden chopsticks and corks
- Clean or food-soaked paper towels and napkins. If it has cleaning chemicals on it, it goes in the trash.
- Backyard poultry or hobby horse bedding and manure. Only poultry and horse manures or bedding are accepted.
Not for Composting!
- Liquids
- Pet waste
- Plastic, including compostable and biodegradable plastics*
- Large volumes of raw meat such as hunting residuals or deep freezer fails
- Rocks, sod and soil, charcoal or ashes
- Compostable plates, cups, silverware or trays*
*The city’s compost facility does not accept all compostable products. See FAQ.
Certified and Safe Compost
Boise’s compost is STA certified through the US Composting Council. Compost is regularly tested by an independent lab for nutrient content, metals and pathogens. The most recent test results are available below:
Use compost for garden soil amendments, lawn improvements or as mulch around trees and plants.
Learn how to apply compost effectively here:
Picking Up Your Compost
Use Compost
As part of your compost service, Boise households may pick up 2 yards of finished compost each year. Collect yours at the Joplin Road Compost Pick Up Site. Check the live compost camera anytime to see what’s available.
Pick Up Site Location*
12142 W Joplin Rd, Boise, ID 83714
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Map
*Due to construction, the Idaho Botanical Garden Compost Site will close on September 1, 2025. Finished compost is available at the Joplin Road Site. Stay tuned for future pickup locations.
Pick Up Guidelines
- Compost is only for residents who participate in the compost program at home.
- Pick up is self-serve. Come prepared with shovels and sturdy containers such as bags, boxes or buckets).
- Limit: two cubic yards per household, per year.
Community Compost Giveback
Host a free compost delivery for your neighborhood!
Neighborhood groups, community organizations, schools, community gardens and groups of 5 or more households may apply. If approved, the City of Boise will deliver 20–25 cubic yards of compost at no cost.
Want some extra compost? Host a compost delivery to your neighborhood.
Want to Buy Compost in Bulk?
Commercial buyers can request to purchase bulk compost through our online form below.
Collection Information
Collection Days
- Your compost cart is collected every week on your designated trash day. To determine your trash day, visit Republic Services' collection day map.
Missed Collection
- If you had a missed trash, recycle or compost cart pick-up, please email our service provider Republic Services or call at (208) 345-1266.
Send a Message to Curb It
Please complete the form below and a member of our Curb It team will follow up with you.
Please note: If you have a question about your bill, please contact Utility Billing Services.