Mixed Compostables Q&A

August 09, 2023

Have you ever wondered about what's going on in your mixed compost roll cart? Well, we've got some answers for you!

Q: Why can't compostable bags go in mixed compost?

  • The compost facility that takes your raw materials and processes it into reusable compost doesn't accept them
  • They do not always break down (in the same time frame as actual food or yard debris)
  • They may contain harmful chemicals used for protection against temperature and moisture
  • They cannot easily be discerned from non-compostable products
  • From a sustainability standpoint, most of these products actually carry a high environmental cost

Q: What is yard debris?

  • Floral trimmings
  • Brush
  • Grass clippings, leaves, & weeds
  • Tree branches, twigs, & roots
  • Garden debris (no pots)

Q: What is food waste?

  • Fruits & vegetables
  • Meat, poultry, seafood & bones
  • Grains, beans, pasta, & bread
  • Eggshells & dairy products
  • Tea bags, coffee grounds/filters
  • Sawdust

Q: Where does it go once NLSS picks it up?

  • NLSS hauls the mixed compost materials first to our private transfer station to combine it into a trailer and then heads to Pacific Region Compost Facility (PRC) in Corvallis to be fully composted into reusable material.