Are you interested in composting, but unsure where to start? We’ve got the dirt on how you can compost from home + around the community.

Composting 101

Composting is the process of decomposing organic matter like leaves, food scraps, and yard trimmings. The result is a dark, nutrient-heavy material, like soil, that you can use to enrich your lawn or garden.

How do you get started?

Find a dry and shady spot in your backyard to build your compost pile or shop at a local hardware or gardening center for a compost bin that suits your needs. Be patient — composting can take several months.

Can you compost without a backyard?

Absolutely. Residents across Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield can utilize CVWMA's compost collection program for on-site drop-offs at 22 locations — often at libraries and community gardens. Look for purple bins with green lids labeled “Food Waste and Compostables Only.”

Bonus: CVWMA's program welcomes all food scraps. If you're composting at home, there are some limitations you might want to keep in mind.

What can you compost?

At-home compost should be a blend of nitrogen-rich (green) and carbon-rich (brown) waste.

✅ Green: fruits, vegetables, bread, coffee grounds + filters, grass clippings, and tea bags

✅ Brown: dryer lint, egg shells, nut shells, sawdust, hay, leaves, shredded paper, and cardboard

What can’t you compost?

❌ Inorganic materials: metal, plastic, produce stickers, treated wood

❌ Animal products: dairy, meat, bones, pet feces

Remember this: If it didn’t grow, it can’t go.

How do you use compost?

Composting is good for the soul… and the soil. Make it into mulch, mix it into your flower and vegetable beds, or spread it over your lawn. No garden? No problem. Mix that compost into your potting soil to give indoor plants a boost.