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City updates council on compost program expansion, multifamily pilot and certified sales
Summary
Public Works staff reported growth in Boise’s compost program: the city now accepts most food waste, the 20 Mile South facility is processing tens of thousands of tons annually, the multifamily food-scrap drop-off pilot has more than 100 households enrolled, and the city sold out of certified compost in recent sales.
City staff on Tuesday gave Boise City Council an update on the municipal compost program, outlining recent changes that include acceptance of most food waste, expansion of a multifamily drop-off pilot and rising sales of certified compost.
Peter, a public works staff member who leads the program presentation, traced the program’s development from a 2014 landfill study through the city’s 2017 rollout and subsequent expansions. He said the city’s 20 Mile South compost facility, co-located with the biosolids facility near Kuna, processes 30,000 to 35,000 tons of organic material per year and that roughly 32,000 tons were processed over the last year.
"In 2025, we started accepting all food waste," Peter said. He clarified the program still excludes liquids and animal carcasses from hunting but now accepts meats and dairy from residential sources. The facility achieved United States Composting Council certification and staff said the city sold 18,000 cubic yards of certified compost and has four wholesale contracts for bulk sales.
The city reported about 77,000 households participate in curbside compost collection — about 97 percent of residential customers — and that collection is weekly year-round. The council heard the program’s "give back" sites, where residents can pick up compost for free, distributed roughly 3,500 cubic yards and that the city has delivered compost to community gardens and neighborhood projects in about 90 deliveries last year.
Peter described a 2024 community survey that drew about 4,000 responses; nearly half of respondents reported using compost bins only for yard waste, which staff said indicates an opportunity for education to increase food-waste participation. He also summarized a 2024 pilot for multifamily households: two drop-off locations opened and more than 100 households have registered with a target of 200 by year’s end.
Council members asked about contamination and pests. Peter said the facility’s incoming material is relatively clean compared with other cities but that plastics, plastic dog toys and plastic bags are recurring contamination issues. Staff said they have installed fencing and cameras at give-back sites to manage inventory and reduce unnecessary trips by residents. Lisa Knapp, identified in the meeting as the city’s compost lead, was recognized by staff for her work.
No formal council action was taken; staff said they will continue outreach and consider expanding multifamily drop-off locations based on demand.
