Composting is a natural degradation process. The breakdown of organic matter occurs over time from exposure to oxygen, moisture, and naturally occurring bacteria. The result of this process is a humus material called compost.

Why Compost?

Save time and money in reduced soil and fertilizer purchases while decreasing local disposal costs. By composting, you won't have to bag and drag yard waste to the curb for collection!

It's good for the environment. Often, organic material decomposes without air in landfills producing methane, a gas that contributes to global climate change.

Enrich the soil. Compost reduces erosion by improving soil structure and adds essential nutrients to the soil, helping to grow trouble-free plants with less water, fertilizer or pesticides.

Learn and have fun!

The City of Newton has partnered with Black Earth Compost to offer household curbside food waste collection service that will turn those vegetable peels, bones, shells and other scraps back into dirt that can grow more food instead of being tossed as trash.

UPDATE: January 19, 2024
Newton now has State earmarked funds to pay for a starter kit for new subscribers to Black Earth Compost curbside food waste collection service. This is a savings of up to $39 for new customers!

A starter kit includes a bin (4-gallon or 13-gallon) and 2 rolls of compostable bags (1, 2.5-gallon and 1, 20-gallon) for collecting food waste for pick-up on the curb by Black Earth Compost. Residents have a choice of 4 different pick-up plans. The cost of service is as low as $2.31 per pick-up.

• Get more information about composting and sign up for Black Earth Compost.
• Watch a short video about composting.
• Check here for common questions about composting and curbside service.

NOTE: The Black Earth Compost collection schedule is unchanged on holiday weeks unless you receive an email stating otherwise. 

Compost bins and kitchen scrap buckets are available for purchase at City Hall Customer Service or buy online. Pick up items at the Newton Resource Recovery Center with proof of payment.

Both compost bin styles are easy to assemble and allow for efficient, aerobic composting. They are made from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled plastic. The kitchen scrap collection bucket is handy to use for transport from the kitchen out to the compost bin.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has resources on home composting and green landscaping practices.

This Home Composting Guide may also be useful, especially when getting started.

For more information on backyard composting, listen to this webinar featuring Ann McGovern of MassDEP.

Stop by the Green Newton table at the Newton Farmer's Market to learn more about how to compost and speak with fellow residents with many years of composting experience.

UPDATE: February 2024

We have now launched an expansion of the no-cost organics drop-off program to three new locations. The expansion is a pilot program featuring three new, more accessible organics drop-off sites. All the collected compostable materials will be picked up by Black Earth Compost. Click here to view the list of accepted materials. Black Earth will process these materials to make finished compost.

NEW ORGANICS DROP-OFF BIN LOCATIONS

1. Albemarle Road, north bound, just past the baseball diamond
2. War Memorial Circle, Newton City Hall, by the bike rack
3. Wheeler Road, directly across from Oak Hill Middle School (130 Wheeler Rd) next to two Helpsy bins

To prevent our organics bins from being used as trash cans, they are kept locked. Anyone seeking to drop-off organics will need to complete a brief registration form one time to get the lock combination. The new bins are available all-year long and 24-hours a day. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT MANAGING ORGANICS

Drop-off service: contact recycling@newtonma.gov
Curbside subscription service: contact Black Earth Compost

--

November 2020

Newton launched a no-cost organics drop-off program at Newton's Resource Recovery Center.

1. Use a paper bag or a certified compostable bag to contain your organics during transport. Certified compostable bags can be found at WholeFoods, Target, and online retailers.
2. Place the paper bag or certified compostable bag into one of the organics carts - these are located near the back of the residential drop off area.

Subscribe to our newsletter, the Green Cart Chronicle, to keep up-to-date about this and other composting programs.