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1. What are the benefits of participating in the County’s Curbside Composting program?

Collecting compost at the curb will: 

• Keep valuable materials out of our landfill. 
• Reduce methane greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Protect our environment. 
• Help Prince George’s County reach our zero waste goals. 

2. How can I participate?

Eligible residents who currently receive curbside County trash AND recycling collection services will receive a composting starter kit with a 2-gallon kitchen pail, an exterior 32-gallon wheeled green cart, and educational materials. 

3. What can I compost?

Acceptable items include: 

• Non-food items like yard trim, uncoated paper products, and compostable cutlery. 
• Food items like produce, cooked meats, bones, shells, dairy (no liquids), baked goods, tea, coffee grounds, and other food scraps. 

Unacceptable items include: 

• ANY plastic (including bags). 
• Pet or human waste (including used facial tissues, baby wipes, kitty litter, or diapers). 

For a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable materials, visit mypgc.us/compost. 

4. Can I compost leftover cooking grease and oil?

No; cooking grease, fats, and oils are not accepted for composting. These items can be recycled at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Acceptance Site at the Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill, Thursday through Saturday. 

5. How do I compost my food scraps?

Collect food scraps in the pail; empty the kitchen pail into the green cart for collection by 6 a.m. on Monday. 

Do NOT place your pail at the curb. For detailed instructions, see the How to Compost Guide at mypgc.us/compost. 

6. What compostable bags/liners are accepted?

• Compostable bags are available at stores and must be labeled as either “home compostable” or “commercially/industrially compostable.” 
• Bags labeled biodegradable but not compostable are not accepted. 
• View the list of acceptable compostable bags online at mypgc.us/compost. 

7. What happens to my compostable materials (food scraps and yard trim) once they are collected?

All materials are transported to the Prince George’s County Organics Composting Facility for processing. Materials are placed in a bunker composting system where they decompose and are transformed into a nutrient-rich soil amendment marketed and sold in bulk as Leafgro GOLD®.

8. How is the Curbside Composting program different from backyard composting?

The County’s program accepts additional types of food waste unsuitable for backyard composting. However, residents who currently compost at home are encouraged to continue. 

9. How do I control odors?

• Clean the green cart and pail regularly to reduce odors and avoid pests. 
• Sprinkle baking soda in the cart and layer yard trim or uncoated paper loosely in the bottom to absorb excess moisture. 
• Put compostable materials in the refrigerator or freezer before placing them in the green cart. 

10. How do I report a missed compost or yard trim collection?

To report a missed Prince George’s County-provided compost collection, contact PGC311 (out of County: 301-883-4748). If your collection is completed by a municipality or directly between you and a hauling company, or arranged by your homeowners’ association or municipality, contact them directly.