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1. What do I do with my bin if I no longer want to compost?

Contact Customer Service at (831) 768-3133 and your bin will be picked up at no charge. The $10 fee is non-refundable. The compost bin is property of the City of Watsonville.

2. What can be used as a proof of address?

• City of Watsonville utility bill
• Energy provider bill
• Bank statement
• Tax assessment
• California ID
• A bill

3. What's composting in a nutshell?

Composting is a natural, biological process that recycles organic materials such as food scraps, leaves and yard trimmings into a rich (fertile, dark, sweet smelling) soil-like material called compost or humus (pronounced hyu, like you.) It improves the health of both soils and plants when added to the garden or indoor plants.

4. What an be composted?

Materials like vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, coffee grinds, tea bags and much more can be placed in a container to decompose. Almost anything that is organic material and not animal based is a good candidate for composting.

5. Are residents required to compost?

This is a voluntary program for residents who want to participate in diverting food scraps from the landfill and instead composting in their own backyard.

6. How does composting help the environment? What are the benefits?

• This program helps the City's climate action plan to reduce methane emissions and organic waste diversion goals.
• Composting is a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers
• Composting reduces waste and conserves landfill space
• Composting can save money by lowering how much goes into your garbage container

7. Why is the City charging $10?

These funds will cover training and delivery services provided

8. Why is composting food scraps better than throwing them in the garbage?

Composting makes a valuable soil amendment. Through this process of decomposition, food scraps and yard trimmings remain as beneficial natural resources instead of becoming wastes, and entering the waste stream. Our food comes from nature, so better to put it back where it came from. In nature, the concept of waste does not exist!

9. How much of my garbage is food?

According to the EPA, 30% of household waste is food. This can be composted instead of throwing it away in the garbage can