FAQs

GENERAL COMPOSTING QUESTIONS.

  • Composting helps on an individual, community, and global level! It reduces odors and organic waste in your home, and reduces the amount of food being sent to landfills. On a global level, this reduces greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. Composting is a simple habit that creates a sustainable way of life while protecting the environment. You can learn more about the benefits of composting here.

  • We do the work for you! With WasteNot, all you have to do is fill your bucket and leave it out for collection, and we do the rest. Composting at home also limits what you can put in your bucket, while WasteNot has the resources to accept a wider range of items. You can learn more about composting through WasteNot here.

  • Generally speaking, “if it grows, it goes!” Anything once living can be composted. At WasteNot, we are able to accept a wide variety of items due to being on the industrial level. To view what’s compostable with WasteNot, check out our guide here.

  • Just a few things! Pet droppings, excessive liquids, plastics (including wrappers), metals, and glass can’t be composted.

  • No! Contrary to popular belief, separating your compostable waste reduces odors. Additionally, you receive a clean receptacle on every WasteNot scheduled service day. This prevents residues (which contribute to odor) from building up. If placing more odorous items into your bucket rather than freezing, you may add odor neutralizers such as coffee grounds, citrus, or mint.

  • Compostable liners are not necessary for your WasteNot bucket due to an upgraded sanitation process on our end. If you prefer to line your bucket, you can line your WasteNot bucket with a BPI-certified compostable liner—these are also available on the member WasteNot shop for easy ordering & delivery on scheduled service days.

  • The process of composting takes the nutrients from the composted products and breaks it down, creating a fertilizer that can then be used to enrich soil in your garden or community. This is known as “compost giveback.” Learn more about the benefits of finished compost here.

SERVICE-RELATED QUESTIONS.

  • Buckets should be left where packages are commonly delivered. This includes front porches, gangways, etc. Bucket locations should be on the ground floor (no excessive stairs) as well as avoid trash/recycling areas.

  • On scheduled service days, our team begins servicing members promptly at 6:30am. Generally, our team has completed all members’ service by 4:30PM.

  • WasteNot buckets should be in your designated bucket location before/by 6:30am on scheduled service days. If you’re not a morning person, simply place it out the night before!

  • We are sorry to hear you missed it! Please reach out to WasteNot Support via email at: hq@wastenotcompost.com if you’d like to schedule an off-route service. If not, we will see you on your next scheduled service day!

  • Please reach out to WasteNot Support via email at: hq@wastenotcompost.com and they will be able to assist you with a replacement.

  • WasteNot services businesses including offices, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and more. We also service institutions such as schools & non-profits. We’d love to have you as a commercial member! To learn more about commercial service, check this page out.

  • Our team can only collect/service WasteNot buckets. If you have extra compostable waste, simply request an extra bucket via your member online account.

  • To effectively provide the WasteNot experience, 2 weeks between pickups is our least frequent pickup option.

  • Yes, WasteNot will reschedule for major holidays, and the members’ service that falls on one of these days will be rescheduled. In the event of a holiday rescheduling, the members affected will be notified a minimum of three times.

    Regarding weather, WasteNot reserves the right to reschedule any service due to inclement weather for the safety of our team.

  • No. While WasteNot does set up at many Chicago events, we do not accept drop off buckets for service.

  • We are able to provide you a lock for your bucket if necessary. Please reach out to HQ@wastenotcompost.com to inquire about receiving a lock.

ACCOUNT-RELATED QUESTIONS.

  • Skipping service is easy! Simply log in to your WasteNot online account > click the calendar icon in the upper right corner > select the date you’d like to skip. You must skip service at least two (2) business days prior to the service date that you would like to skip.

  • To request an extra bucket, simply log in to your account > click “Shop” > then select extra bucket, add it to your cart, then complete the checkout process. Any extra bucket that is ordered will automatically be added to your next scheduled service day provided the request is placed a minimum of 2 days prior.

  • Absolutely! Simply reach out to WasteNot Support via email at hq@wastenotcompost.com, and a team member will be able to provide you some options.

  • You can upgrade or downgrade service at any time. Simply reach out to WasteNot Support via email at hq@wastenotcompost.com, and a friendly WasteNot team member will be able to assist you.

  • To update your payment method, login to your member online account > click “Account & Billing” at the top > select “Payment Method” from the drop-down and follow the prompts to update your payment method on file.

  • If you are a member and looking to update your address, please visit the members page, click “Move Request”, and follow the respective prompts. Our team will send a confirmation email with any changes within 3-5 business days.

  • WasteNot is a commitment free service. To request cancellation, please visit the members page, click “Cancel Service”, and follow the respective prompts. Our support team will reply with a confirmation within 4 business days.

Additional QUESTIONS.

  • In our WasteNot Shop, there is a range of items available to help in your sustainability journey. Our products range from countertop composting bins to health and beauty products to kitchen supplies. Find the WasteNot Shop through your member portal here.

  • Zero emissions refers to the emissions released into the air that add to global warming. WasteNot uses 100% electric vans for our compost collection in order to have zero emissions. You can read more about our electric vehicles here.

  • Compost givebacks occur in the spring and fall of each year for eligible members.

  • To be eligible for compost giveback, you must be a member for 3 months or more.

  • Yes, WasteNot offers a referral program for members called Care to Compost! To refer an interested individual to WasteNot, simply log in to your online account & click the “Give $12, Get $12” button at the top to share your unique referral link. The individual you are wanting to refer should utilize this link to sign-up so you both receive a service credit.