Show All Answers

1. What happens to the food scraps we put out for collection?

Public Works picks up your compostables on Wednesdays and takes them to Kitchen Harvest's on-farm composting site at Linvilla Orchards, just 3.5 miles from Media Borough, where they turn it into compost.  Nature does most of the work, but they carefully monitor its progress and turn it in as needed.  The finished, screened bulk compost is spread at Linvilla and sold to local residents, businesses and schools.  Kitchen Harvest has a video of their process on the Kitchen Harvest website, and find more information on the Kitchen Harvest Facebook page.

2. Does the pickup take the whole bucket and leave a new one? Or do they empty it into the truck on-site and we get back a dirty bucket? Should we line our bucket or what?

The pickup empties your bucket into the Borough compost truck each week.  You can rinse your empty bucket out with a hose.  You can also line it with a paper grocery bag if you wish.  Most people keep a small (2-quart or so) container at their sink and empty it into the yellow program bucket, which they leave outside.  Smells are not noticeable if you empty your indoor container on a daily basis.  Your inside container should have a tight lid to prevent fruit flies in the summer.

3. Yesterday I was surprised that my bucket was already empty at 8 am - does Public Works start really early in the morning or is someone stealing my compost?

Absolutely! No silly questions! Public Works starts collecting early in the morning. We ask that you have your bucket out on the street by 6 am Many people put their buckets out the night before.

4. Can Public Works scrape out the food scraps that stick to the bottom of the compost bucket?

No. They do not have time to. Use a paper bag as a liner instead.

5. Should we purchase a screw top lid to make it more accessible?

Screw top lids rule!

6. Our lid was eaten by squirrels; how can I get a screw top lid?

Some participants have found success using a Screw Top Bucket Lid, available from the Home Depot website and other places.

7. If I miss a pickup can Public Works pick up the excess food scraps the following week?

As long as it is in a bucket.

8. Can Public Works pick up yard waste that I leave next to the yellow bucket?

Yes! Curbside Compost includes both yard waste and food scraps. We ask that you put your yard waste in a recycled paper yard waste bag (available at Deals and other hardware-type stores). Please do not overfill yard bags. Do not use plastic trash bags or plastic bag liners for yard waste. Sticks / branches are accepted provided they are no wider than four inches in diameter and no longer than four feet. Sticks / branches larger than 2 inches in diameter cannot be placed inside the bags and must be bundled separately.

9. How do I keep flies and bugs out of my compost bucket?

Flies and bugs may increase in the summer for some people. Tips:  Keep the lid on at all times.  Keep the contents as cool and dry as possible. Store the bucket outside in a shady place.  Occasionally add shredded paper or dry yard waste.  Line the bucket with a paper grocery bag.  Rinse out the bucket every week after Public Works empties it.