What you can compost in Missoula

Accepted Compost

Compostable material can safely break down into usable natural elements in a compost-friendly environment, leaving no toxic residue.

    • Fruit & vegetable peels

    • Coffee grounds

    • Tea bags

    • Breads, grains, pasta

    • Dairy, eggshells

    • Meats, bones & seafood

  • Lawn Material

    • Grass clippings

    • Fall leaves

    • Branches

    • Garden debris

    • Weeds

    100% Paper Products

    • Napkins

    • Paper towels

    • Cardboard (pizza boxes)

    100% Natural Materials

    • Bamboo products

    • Sugarcane

  • We ONLY accept BPI or TUV-certified compostable products. This guarantees an item has been tested to completely break down, leaving no residues, within 90 days in the heated and microbial conditions of a commercial compost facility.

    Byproducts include water and a little CO2.

Not Compost

Non-compostable items don’t break down into usable natural elements, contaminate the compost, and/or create potential liability issues when hauling and at the compost site.  

    • Plastic (bags, wrappers, utensils)

    • Produce stickers

    • Glass or metal

    • Rubber bands, twist ties

    • Styrofoam

    • Glossy or coated paper

    • Synthetic fabrics (e.g. polyester)

    • Diapers or sanitary products

    • Pet waste

    • Ash

    • Treated or painted wood

  • Any plastic product that has natural-looking symbols, claims, or irrelevant certifications is not accepted as compost.

    ONLY BPI or TUV-certified bioplastics are accepted.

Full Compost Guide

In Missoula, we have access to our city-owned industrial compost facility, Garden City Compost.  Using this technology, we can safely compost a wider variety of materials compared to backyard methods, including meat, dairy, small bones, and weeds. 

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