Frequently Asked Questions

Composting is the managed, aerobic (oxygen-required) biological decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms. Organic (carbon-based) materials include grass clippings, leaves, yard and tree trimmings, and food scraps. The end product is compost, a biologically stable soil amendment that can be used to build soil health and provide nutrients to plants. Microorganisms feed on the materials added to the compost pile during the composting process. They use carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce, water to digest materials, and oxygen to breathe.

Curbside composting in the City of Framingham is serviced by Black Earth Compost. Black Earth Compost will provide your pickup day for your compostable waste upon subscription. Compostable materials placed in the green Black Earth Compost cart will be picked up separately from waste and recycling.

Black Earth Compost accepts raw, cooked, and spoiled food scraps, soiled paper products, and certified compostable serviceware. This can account for up to 40% of your trash and is more than can be composted in a backyard pile.

The City of Framingham's initiative provides one free 13-gallon compost cart to each residence with a new Black Earth Compost subscription, while supplies last. The subscription price varies, and details are available on the Black Earth Compost website. If a resident chooses to terminate their subscription with Black Earth Compost or relocate outside of Framingham, they will return the cart to the Framingham Department of Public Works.

A new cart can be purchased through Black Earth Compost.

Your compost day will be assigned through Black Earth Compost. If your pickup day is the same day as your trash and recycling collection day, please ensure that it is placed at least 3 feet away from your other carts. The compost cart must be placed curbside by 7 a.m. on the pick-up day, but no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before.

Black Earth Compost accepts compostable liners, plates, utensils, cups, and other items that have the proper third-party certification for compostability. This certification ensures that the material will break down in an industrial compost facility within a specified timeframe into non-toxic, acceptable substrates.

The words biodegradable, compostable, or ASTM-6400 alone are not enough for Black Earth Compost to accept a product. It needs to have one of the following third-party certifications.

• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
• OK Compost! / TUV Austria Home or Industrial / Seedling (TUV)
• Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA)

The City of Framingham has partnered with Black Earth Compost. Black Earth Compost will provide all services.

Please check out the Black Earth Compost Website at https://blackearthcompost.com/ for more information. They can be contacted through the website with any additional questions.

PRODUCE STICKERS are not compostable and need to be removed from all fruits and vegetables.

GROCERY STORE PRODUCE BAGS may look compostable, but most are NOT. It will be clear when one is acceptable because a BPI, TUV, or CMA certification logo will be printed directly on the bag.

WAXED CARDBOARD, MILK CARTONS, PAPER CUPS or similar items not certified compostable are not accepted.

PAPER is best recycled. We are not a paper recycling outlet. We don't accept cardboard, pizza boxes, junk mail, magazines, office paper, etc. Food-soiled napkins or paper products are okay, though.

GRASS CLIPPINGS can contain harmful chemicals. Unless you are a subscriber to Black Earth Compost Organic Lawn Care Partners, which can be found on your Black Earth Compost customer dashboard, we will not accept your grass clippings.