Compost Nashville

The bin rules

What can I compost?

When in doubt: compost the food, skip the plastic. Here's the full list.

Yes, please

Food scraps

  • · Fruits and vegetables
  • · Coffee grounds, coffee filters, most tea bags
  • · Dairy products
  • · Egg shells
  • · All meat, shellfish, and fish products
  • · Pasta, breads, cereals, baked goods
  • · Leftovers from cooked meals
  • · Baking ingredients, spices, and herbs
  • · Candy and snack food

Paper & packaging

  • · Soiled napkins, paper towels, toilet paper rolls, cotton balls
  • · Paper plates and cups (even wax-coated)
  • · Pizza boxes (tear them to fit)
  • · Paper egg cartons
  • · Paper cupcake liners
  • · Other paper food packaging

Organic materials

  • · Flowers and household plants
  • · Hair and nail clippings
  • · Pet food and pet hair

Certified compostables

Anything labeled "BPI Certified Compostable" or "ASTM D6400".

Please don't

  • × Plastic and Styrofoam
  • × Metal, including aluminum foil and cans
  • × Glass
  • × Anything covered in heavy cleaning products
  • × Shiny wrapping paper
  • × Anything labeled merely "biodegradable"
    (the word has no industry standard; look for "BPI Certified" or "ASTM D6400" instead)
Not sure about something? Just ask. Email Info@CompostNashville.org or call (615) 398-0209. We'd rather you ask than guess.

Ready to put it in practice?

Sign up for residential pickup, request a commercial or event quote, or drop off at our community location.

Residential Commercial Events Drop-off