The information on this web page is intended to offer viewers toolkits, information and ideas for starting a residential or commercial organics collection program. It is not a complete list and any suggestions on additional information should be sent to: admin@compostfoundation.org.


Most Organics Collection programs, whether they are residential or commercial, have a variety of educational pieces associated with their program. Topics range from preventing food waste to how to store organics for collection to information on compostable plastics. These programs often include brochures designed for distribution to program participants outlining acceptable/unacceptable materials, tips on how to collect and store the organic materials in the home, collection schedules, videos, and a variety of tools. Often the program has translated its program information into multiple languages so a broader audience can be reached with program details.
Below you will find a list links providing information on a variety of topics. These materials may be helpful to you in developing your programs.
Organics Collection Programs
City of Austin Texas Residential Organics Collection program
CalRecycles Organics Toolkit
Eureka Prevent Wasted Food
Georgia Residential Source Separated Organics Collection Toolkit, State of Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs and the Georgia Recycling Coalition
Hennepin County School recycling
City of Madison Wisconsin Residential Organics Collection Program
City of Minneapolis Minnesota Residential Organics Collection Program
Minnesota Residential Organics Programs
Minnesota Organic Terminology Guide and How to set up a drop-off program for Organics
City of San Francisco California Organics Program
City of Seattle Organics Collection Program – multiple program pieces
Food and Yard waste
Environment and Conservation
Business/Commercial
Apartment Dwellers
Apartment/Condo Owners
City of Wayzata, Minnesota Residential Organics Collection Program
US EPA Sustainable Management of Food
Sustainable-Management-Food
Reducing Food Waste at Home
Donating Food
Home Composting
(All links below are from reputable sources. However, the majority of backyard compost bins/piles do not reach hot enough temperatures (130+ degrees F/55+ degrees C) to kill weed seed or salmonella and ecoli, so caution should be used when composting materials such as dairy products, meats, manures, weeds with seeds or diseased plants.)
A Homeowner's Guide to Composting
Backyard Composting
What can be Composted: 40+ items to compost or avoid
Guide To Composting At Home
Composting Guide for Beginners
Home Advisor
Cornell Small Scale Composting
University of Illinois Extension
University of Minnesota Extension
University of Wisconsin-Madison: The Art and Science of Composting By Dr. Leslie Cooperband
COMSOL Blog
US Insurance Agents – An excellent collection of information on backyard composting.
EcoCycle Backyard Composting
Quiet Hut Home Composting
Composting for beginners: How-to, and why you should start composting
Home composting videos
Easy backyard composting
Composting 101 Basics – Backyard Composting (GardenForkTV)
How to make a compost bin
Wire Bin
Pallet Bin
The above links are not sanction by the CCREF, but are intended to give you “how to” ideas. A search of the internet will give many more ideas.
Other Resources
Compost Collaborative Resource page
Homemade Plant Food to Keep Your Plants Happy | ProFlowers
Food Waste Resources | Pritikin Center