Frequently Asked Questions

Composting is the process of creating fertile soil from discarded organic materials.  Leftover food scraps, plants, and animal materials are mixed in measured volumes to encourage microbial activity.  Bacteria, invertebrates, and other organisms consume the materials and each other within the collected materials.  Over time, an ecosystem develops within the collected materials.  The resulting ecosystem circulates nutrients that provides ideal conditions for plant growth.

Mother Compost collects compostable materials from businesses and residences, then transports those materials to a local composting facility.

Everything collected by Mother Compost is transported to a local, regulated commercial composting facility. All materials are processed into finished compost.  Finished compost is a nutrient–dense soil ideal for gardening and farming.  That same soil is available to our customers for landscaping, gardening, and soil revitalization.

Ardmore | Bala Cynwyd | Broomall | Bryn Mawr | Devon | Drexel Hill | Gladwyne | Haverford | Havertown | Merion Station | Narberth | Newtown Square | Penn Valley | Villanova | Wayne | West Chester | Wynnewood

To request a manual service location check, Email service address to info@mothercompost.com.

Most any material that was once part of a living organism is compostable. 

You can compost any food item that was intended for human consumption.  Unused food can be composted even if it is frozen, burned, expired, stale, or moldy.  

Plant material is compostable.  Animal material (meat, bones, seafood, dairy) is compostable, but requires additional considerations.

The following is NOT compostable in any quantity:

• Plastic
• Polyester
• Metal
• Glass
• Detergents
• Synthetic chemicals
• Pet waste
• Human waste

When it comes to man-made manufactured materials, the lines are blurry.  For example: regular paper is compostable because it is made from plant fiber, BUT some papers are coated in plastic-based glossy ink, making them NOT compostable.

If you are ever uncertain about composting an item, send an inquiry email with reference images to info@mothercompost.com.  We will happily investigate items and materials to see if they are healthy for the composting system.

Meat and dairy can be composted if you are willing to set aside some freezer space.  We recognize freezer space is a premium resource for many households.  This method is recommended for Level 2 Advanced Curbside Composters who are looking to compost as much as possible.

1. Designate a “compost corner” in your freezer.
2. Collect meat scraps, bones, dry dairy in brown paper bags.
3. Crimp the paper bags shut, and store them in the freezer’s “compost corner.”
4. On the night before curbside pickup, place the bagged frozen scraps, paper bags and all, directly into the bucket.

Frozen materials are safe for composting.  Brown paper bags are safe for composting.  Frozen materials inside brown paper bags will stay frozen overnight, with just enough time to thaw and be collected before any odors are released.

Meat, bones, seafood, and dairy are all safe for composting.  Due to the more concentrated nutrients in animal tissue, meat and bones break down more quickly than plant materials.  This results in more unpleasant odors released more quickly.  Freezing the materials stops decomposition in its tracks while maintaining dense nutrients available for the composting system after collection.

All Mother Compost customers enjoy a 20% discount on finished compost purchases through Linivilla Orchards.

Bagged finished compost is available for purchase through the mothercompost.com online shop as long as supplies last.  Residential curbside subscriptions can register to receive a free share of finished compost distributed throughout the growing season (March – October).

Drivers will inspect and replace damaged lids as needed during routine curbside service at no charge.  Brand-new lid replacements can be ordered through the mothercompost.com online shop after logging in.

If your bucket sustains critical damage or goes missing, replacements are available.  Curbside subscriptions include one free bucket replacement as needed per year for each bucket on the subscription.  If multiple replacements are required within a year, replacement charges will be assessed.  If bucket damage or losses become a repeating issue, we will provide customized guidance to prevent more bucket losses.  

Bucket replacements are also available to order in the mothercompost.com online shop after logging in.

If you miss a curbside collection, you have two options to empty your bucket before your next scheduled pickup day.

1. Additional Service- $15
   Return service can be scheduled on another route within 5 business days.  This option is available for a $15 additional service charge.
2. Self-serve Dropoff- No charge
   Self-serve drop off sites are available to curbside members at no additional cost.  Contact us to request access details for the drop-off location closest to you.

Service interruptions resulting from Mother Compost operational error will be provided corrective service at no charge.

Curbside service can be paused to prevent charges during long stretches where pickups are not required.  If you do not require pickup for two or more consecutive collection cycles (28+days), email the date range to info@mothercompost.com.  We will skip the affected collection dates, and adjust subscription payments accordingly.

Compost bucket smell is easily managed.  With proper attention, compost buckets will never smell as bad as regular trash cans.  

Odor prevention efforts will also prevent animal and insect interference, since odors attract such interlopers.

To prevent bucket smell, keep these factors in mind:

1. Moisture
   Odors are released as liquid evaporates.  Layer in a single paper towel before and after non-dry food waste deposits.  The paper will passively absorb moisture, and reduce odors released.  When composting soups or sauces, straining the solids is recommended to reduce liquid in the bucket.
2. Material – Plant Based is Best
   Materials In order of least smelly to most smelly:
   Dry goods > uncooked plant-based > cooked plant-based > anything from an animal.
   Avoid placing meat, bones, and dairy into the compost bucket.  Animal-based materials decompose faster, and produce more potent odors.  If you want to compost meat, bones, seafood, or dairy, here are more tips for composting meat and bones without mess or stink.
3. Indoor Storage Recommended
   Indoor storage is recommended in between pickups.  Climate controlled environments make buckets last longer, and reduce odor.  Outdoor storage incurs heat and humidity, accelerating decomposition, and increasing odors and animal attraction.  Prolonged outdoor cold weather embrittles the container, causing frequent container breakage.