Boise residents can compost up to 10 leaf bags alongside full carts

The City of Boise will collect up to 10 paper leaf bags per week for residents whose green-lidded compost carts are full. This option applies during the late October peak leaf season when organic waste volume increases significantly for many households.

Drivers for the municipal compost trucks use the cart as a lifting point to grab the bags. Residents must place the paper bags approximately three feet away from the cart to allow the truck equipment to operate safely.

Households can place real pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns in the green-lidded compost cart. The city's Curb It sorting guide accepts natural seasonal decorations, including gourds, hay bales, and corn stalks. These items must be free of paint or non-natural alterations.

Carved pumpkins are eligible for composting. Residents should remove string lights and scoop out any remaining candle wax before placing the pumpkin in the cart. The material must be natural to qualify for the service.

Painted pumpkins and foam or plastic decorations belong in the trash cart. The city does not accept plastic in the compost stream, even if the product is labeled compostable or biodegradable. The general rule is that if the item did not grow naturally, it does not go in the green cart.

The compost program also accepts meat, dairy, bones, and food cooked with oils such as butter or olive oil. Residents can dispose of Halloween party leftovers in the same stream. This inclusion expands the types of organic waste accepted from households.

Residents in apartments or homes without a green cart can use the city's free Food Scrap Drop Off Program. The city operates neighborhood drop-off sites for these materials. Users must register with the program before dropping off their waste.