What can I compost?

Kitchen Scraps

Fruits & Vegetables

  • Fruit scraps, peels, rinds, & cores

  • Vegetable peels, ends, and scraps

  • Citrus peels (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit)

  • Onion peels and garlic skins

  • Corn husks and cobs

  • Potato peels

  • Banana peels

  • Avocado pits and skins

  • Wilted or spoiled produce

Grains & Starches

  • Bread (including moldy bread)

  • Rice and pasta (cooked or uncooked)

  • Cereal and oats

  • Crackers and pretzels

  • Pizza crust

  • Tortillas and wraps

Protein, Dairy & Other

  • Meat, poultry, & fish

  • Bones

  • Milk, cheese, yogurt (avoid liquid, it’s messy)

  • Coffee grounds and filters

  • Tea bags (remove staples if present)

  • Loose tea leaves

  • Paper napkins and paper towels (unbleached)

Shells & Nuts

  • Eggshells

  • Nut shells (walnuts, pecans, pistachios, etc.)

  • Peanut shells

  • Sunflower seed shells

Yard Waste

Plant Material

  • Leaves (fresh or dried)

  • Small branches and twigs (under 1 inch diameter)

  • Garden trimmings and prunings

  • Dead or wilted flowers

  • Houseplant trimmings

  • Weeds (before they go to seed)

  • Pine needles and cones

  • Sawdust from untreated wood

Other Organic Material

  • Cut flowers and floral arrangements

  • Christmas trees (cut into small pieces)

  • Pumpkins and gourds

  • Hay and straw

Other Compostables

Paper Products

  • Unbleached paper napkins and towels

  • Clean pizza boxes (remove any plastic)

  • Paper egg cartons

  • Brown paper bags

  • Shredded newspaper (small amounts)

  • Coffee filters

  • Cardboard (not waxed or coated)

Miscellaneous

  • Compostable bags

  • Corks (real corks only)

  • Cotton balls & cotton swabs

  • Paper towels & tissues

  • Toothpicks & chopsticks

What not to compost!

✗ Common Household Items ✗

  • Produce stickers

  • Plastic sauce packets

  • Plastic wrap

  • Produce packaging

  • Glass or aluminum

  • Plastic bags (or any plastic!)

  • Twist ties, rubber bands, tabs, or tags from produce

  • Tape or labels from boxes

  • Diapers

  • Pet waste

  • Human waste

  • Plastic plant labels

  • Plastic plant pits

  • Plastic “window'“ in paper envelopes

  • Cigarette butts

  • Coal or charcoal ash

  • Treated or painted wood

  • Glossy or coated paper

  • Dryer lint

  • Vacuum cleaner contents

  • Rubber

WHEN IN DOUBT

Contact Peake! We're happy to answer questions about specific items. Our detailed guide comes with your membership, and our team is always available to help you compost successfully.

General Rule: If it grew from the earth and isn't treated with chemicals, it can probably be composted!

FAQs

Service

How often do you pick up my compost bin?

Our standard residential service offers bi-weekly and weekly options for higher-volume customers. Our commercial plans are on a weekly schedule.

What if I forget to put my bin out on pickup day?

No worries! Just contact us and we'll catch you on our next route through your area. Life gets busy - we understand.

Do I need to be home for pickup?

Not at all! Just leave your bin in the designated pickup location and we'll swap it for a clean one. You'll find your fresh bin when you get home.

What if I'm going out of town?

Let us know and we can skip your pickup or you can continue collecting for a fuller bin next time. Flexibility is part of our service.

Billing & Membership

How much does it cost?

Our residential service starts at $22 per month. Commercial pricing varies based on quantity and can size.

Can I pause my service?

Yes! We offer seasonal holds for snowbirds or temporary pauses for life changes with a 30 day notice.

How do I cancel if needed?

Easy cancellation with 30 days notice. We hope you'll love the service, but we keep it simple if your needs change.

Concerns

Will my bin smell?

Our bins are designed with proper ventilation and tight-fitting lids. Most customers report no odor issues when following our guidelines.

What about pests or animals?

The secure lids and proper bin design minimize pest issues. We'll provide tips for pest-free composting with your starter materials.

What happens during bad weather?

We pick up rain or shine! Our team is prepared for all weather conditions.

Is this sanitary?

Absolutely. We provide fresh, clean buckets & cans with each exchange, and our professional composting process eliminates pathogens and harmful bacteria.

Environmental

What happens to my food scraps after pickup?

Your scraps go to our composting facility here in Hollywood, MD where they're processed into rich, dark compost that supports local gardens and green spaces.

Can I get some of the finished compost?

Yes! As a thank-you for helping us close the loop, each member receives a portion of finished compost each spring! Need more? Members can purchase extra at a discounted rate.