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Home Composting & Food Waste

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2026 Summer Composting Workshop Series   

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Digging In Backyard Composting Guide   

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BACKYARD COMPOSTING GUIDE

Free Food Scrap Drop-Off Program

The Department of Public Works - Sanitation launched the Food Scrap Drop-Off Program to encourage food waste diversion. DPW is partnering with local community groups and organizations to host collection locations. 

Sign-up is required to participate. Find the nearest drop-off location using the map below and sign up using the Compost Crusader form. Don't see a location near you? DPW is still looking for partners to join the network by hosting a self-drop cart. Please send your suggestions of community organizations that would be interested in hosting a cart to [email protected]. Hosting a site is at no cost to the organization.

 

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Collection Guide

Accepted (Food Waste Only): 

  • Raw or cooked fruits & veggies
  • Eggshells
  • Cooked meat (and animal and fish bones) 
  • Cheese/dairy
  • Breads and baked goods
  • Pastas, grains (rice, cereal) and beans
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Loose tea leaves, coffee grounds and filters
  • Brown paper bags

Not Accepted: 

  • Yard waste (grass, leaves, branches and brush)*
  • Food packaging
  • Liquids (soda, juice) 
  • Tea bags
  • Raw meat
  • Cooking oil and grease
  • Biodegradable products (utensils, to-go containers)
  • Plastic, metal, glass
  • Garbage

*Yard waste is compostable, but not accepted in this program to maximize cart space for everyone. Please contact Compost Crusader if you're interested in curbside yard waste collection. Yard waste is also accepted year-round at the Drop Off Centers.  

Download the Collection Guide 

English 
Spanish

Need supplies?
Order collection buckets and liners here.

Food and Yard Waste Diversion Strategies

Home composting is a great way to create a soil additive from the leaves and garden trimmings. Learn more about these options from the DNR.All compost piles in the City of Milwaukee must be in a bin constructed of commercial-grade materials such as heavy-duty plastic, cinder block, brick, or wood and have a hood, per City Ordinances.

Basic Backyard Composting Guide/ Compostaje Básicoen el Jardín Guide 

Diversion at Home

City Collection Services

Drop Off Sites

  • Food Scrap Drop-Off Locations (Food Waste Only: see sign-up above) 
  • City of Milwaukee Drop Off Centers (yard debris only; no food waste)

Organics Collection Services

  • Several companies provide subscription-based organics collection services that you can sign up for. Here are a few companies we're aware of that provide services in the City of Milwaukee.
  • Don't live in the City of Milwaukee? Brew City Compost currently serves the following locations in Waukesha County: Oconomowoc, Delafield, Pewaukee, Hartland, Nashotah, Okauchee, Dousman, Brookfield, & Elm Grove.

Basic Backyard Composting Tutorial

Find more tutorials on composting, recycling, reducing, and reusing: