Composting in Park Ridge

Homes, businesses, multi-unit buildings, schools, faith communities, and all properties in Evanston can participate in these programs.

  • that can be easily integrated into homes, businesses and institutions.

  • are customized to your needs with either 5-gallon buckets or 32-gallon totes swapped out weekly, biweekly or every four weeks.

  • in Park Ridge makes the service even more affordable.

  • hold 32 gallons and can be used communally in neighborhoods, multi-unit buildings or for customers that produce a higher volume of organic waste.

  • can have as many collection containers and swapouts per week as needed to meet your food scrap collection needs. High-volume tote service includes discounts.

  • apply to every additional container.

  • of all sizes are possible with our composting containers and expert staffing to guide your guests in sorting all waste streams. Learn more.

Helping you combat climate change by making composting easy in Park Ridge.

Our community program with Park Ridge makes it easier on your wallet.

Read the How It Works section below if you’re totally new to our customized, container-swap composting service.

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Not a resident of Park Ridge? Try one of the other areas we service:

Evanston
Skokie
Chicago & Other Suburbs
  • Entrance to a building. There are two red buckets placed outside the door, on the brick sidewalk next to a white protective pole.
  • Green compost waste bin with closed lid, labeled 'COMPOST' and details of the resource company, placed against a brick and wall.
  • Staircase leading to an outdoor area with a brick wall, a metal trash can, and a stack of orange buckets illuminated by sunlight creating shadow patterns.
  • Inside a white delivery van with two green compost bins at the back
  • A black front door with a gold door handle, next to a small window and an intercom system. A red compost bucket labeled 'COMPOST' sits on the concrete porch next to a black planter with green plants. There is a colorful doormat with leaves scattered around.
  • Green compost bin with a wrapped trash bag, placed on a sidewalk next to a wooden fence.

Flexible Service Options

Discounts are available for additional containers. Click here to see rates for multiple totes.

ℹ️ Replacement fees for lost containers are $12.00 for 5-gallon buckets, and $75.00 for 32-gallon totes.

How it works

  • the custom service plan that makes composting easiest for you.

  • the size and number of containers you need and send e-mail communications about swapout dates, holiday schedules and informative blog postings.

  • with food scraps and CMA-W certified compostable products and put it outside for swapout, wherever it’s easiest for you.

  • for an empty, washed container if there’s a full one to swap out.

  • and divert your food scraps happily ever after.

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Compost Communally with Neighbor Totes™

Looking for a shared composting solution? Get a tote instead of a bucket!

Each 32-gallon tote accommodates food scraps for 20-30 people in a week.

It works the same way as the residential compost bucket swap, only in this case you share a bigger container with your neighbors or community.

Learn more
Green compost bin attached to a brick wall with a Neighbor Totes sign nearby.

History with Park Ridge

Our franchise agreement with the City of Park Ridge began in May 2022. We've worked closely with the City’s Sustainability Commission to educate the community at waste stations at Park Ridge Farmers Market and service the City’s free dropoff sites.

We’ve also had a long relationship with Go Green Park Ridge that predates our franchise agreement, participating in community outreach alongside them at the Community Health Fair, Earth Day Fair and One Earth Film Festival events.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • All food scraps and certified compostable products can be put in your container. See our What to Compost page for guidance.

  • Yes! Park Ridge residents can opt out of the community program and pay a little more to have more flexible service options. Read more about premium residential service.

  • You want an easy, actionable way to combat climate change and make a positive difference in your loved ones’ futures. Diverting your food scraps from a landfill through composting both reduces the amount of methane your household is responsible for producing and recovers resources to enable the nutrients present in your food waste to become a natural fertilizer to regenerate our soil.

  • Our 5-gallon buckets have lids that seal tightly. Our 32-gallon totes are bagged and also have a lid. When the containers are closed, they do not smell. As it gets closer to your pickup day, you may notice that the contents smell when you open it. The odor dissipates soon after you’ve closed it up. If keeping your bucket or tote outside is an option, that would help. Some customers freeze some of their food scraps and place them in our collection containers on the swap-out day. Here are some ideas on how to set up compost collection in your kitchen. You may also see our blog post about managing your compost collection during the summer for additional tips and tricks.

  • Each spring, we offer 10 free gallons of finished compost to our customers at what we’ve named our Spring Finished Compost Gift-Back. We offer several different days for customers to bring their own containers, collect their compost, and have the opportunity to purchase more if they need more. We partner with our colleagues in the local composting and farming community to provide this gift for our customers. Learn more about finished compost gift-back.

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