Why should I compost, especially since I can already throw away food waste in the trash? And how is composting good for the environment anyway?
If you live in Philadelphia within or close to our service area, you’re helping our environment by composting and could cut down the amount of trash you generate by 30 – 40%. Composting prevents food waste and other organic waste from going to landfill, where it emits methane, a greenhouse gas up to eighty times worse for our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. In addition, compost absorbs CO2 from our atmosphere, potentially helping to reduce global warming. And the finished compost we create from your food scraps and leaves is used by Philly’s urban farmers and gardeners to make their soil healthier, helping them grow healthier fruits, vegetables, and plants. If you are a small business, from a daycare to a cafe to any kind of office, our service may pay for itself or even save you money on trash pickup. Contact us for more info.
I live in Philly and want to sign up. When and where do I put out my bucket for Circle Compost to empty out?
You put out your bucket on the curb in front of your house or apartment building on the day we make pickups in your neighborhood. We will let you know which day or night we’ll make those weekly pickups when you sign up for our service. You’ll also receive a weekly email from us on the day we service your neighborhood to remind you we’ll be picking up that day.
I want to sign up the commercial kitchen where I work, but we generate a lot of volume. Do you have larger containers than 5 gallon buckets?
For our commercial customers, if you have an accessible area where you keep your trash and recycling, we can place a 32 gallon wheeled container in that area and swap it out when we pick up. We’ll provide you with at least one 5 gallon bucket or a counter height 23 gallon slim jim container to keep in your kitchen that you can empty out into the 32 gallon storage unit as needed.
When and how does Circle Compost empty my bucket?
For houses and apartments, we stop by on one of our bikes or in a motor vehicle to empty out your bucket. We leave the empty bucket outside by your front door for houses or in front of your building for apartments. For our commercial customers, we leave your buckets or larger container in the designated area where you want us to leave them.
Can I put meat, chicken, or fish scraps in my bucket?
No, we cannot accept meat, chicken, or fish scraps at this time from residential customers (commercial customers – this is possible, let’s discuss). Please click here to see the complete list of materials we accept.
Can I put cooked vegetable scraps in my bucket?
Yes, we can take them, as long as they are not drenched in oils or condiments (a little bit is okay – please use your judgment!).
Can I put bread or pasta in my bucket?
If the bread is home baked without any preservatives or from a local bakery that does not use preservatives, and has not been heavily dressed with butter, oil, or other condiments, then yes, it can go in your bucket. If store bought, then no, it cannot go in your bucket. Same with pasta – if it is homemade or local and has not been heavily dressed in oil, butter, or other sauces, then it can go in your bucket.
I don’t live within your pickup service area. Can I still sign up for your service?
If you are close enough for us to still make pickups from you, we should be able to do it. Please contact us and provide your address or cross streets, and we will get back to you about whether we can make it work.
If I refer a friend to use your service, do I get hooked up in some way?
From time to time, we offer a refer-a-friend promotion, through which you would get either a free month or some sort of Circle Compost swag for referring a friend who signs up for our service. Stay tuned to our social media for these offerings!
Can I get back finished compost to use for my own gardening or planting?
Yes! Weekly customers can get back up to 10 gallons of finished compost from us per year at no charge. Every-other-week customers can get back up to 5 gallons of finished compost from us per year at no charge. Just let us know when you need it!