Compost
Composting at home is one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste, enrich your garden, and keep valuable materials out of the landfill. From fruit peels to coffee grounds, many everyday scraps can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that feeds plants and improves soil health.
If you’re new to composting, here are some guides to help you get started:
Compost workshops 2026
Washoe County and KTMB are partnering to host Food Waste & Composting Workshops to teach the community how to compost at home -- May 9, June 12 and June 13.
The fee is $15 and registration is on the KTMB website: ktmb.org/events
Classes are posted at various times throughout the year so check back with KTMB frequently if you don’t see any future classes posted.
- Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB)
- Urban Roots Workshops
- UNR Cooperative Extension
- Reno Food Systems
Compostable plates, cups & utensils?
Too often, that "compostable" plate, cup or utensil isn't, at least not here in northern Nevada. Recycling them properly requires industrial facilities that we don't have in this region.
Learn how to spot the real thingNot all disposable cups, plates, and take-out containers are recyclable or compostable—appearance can be deceiving. Even items that are brown or “cardboard-like” may not breakdown and can contaminate compost. To make a real difference, look for BPI-certified compostable products, which meet strict standards for breaking down safely in compost systems. BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) maintains an easy-to-use database of certified products, from cutlery to produce containers.
See if your favorite restaurant, café, or market is using compostable options—and if not, encourage them to explore the list at products.bpiworld.org. Every switch from single-use plastics to compostable products helps reduce waste and keeps valuable materials out of the landfill.
Can coffee shops refill my reusable cup? Yes! Learn more here.