Compost Crew

Community composting in order to build healthier, sustainable gardens!

Thermometer in Compost Pile

Why Compost?

In an effort to relocalize the nutrient cycle in DuPage County, our nonprofit has established a Community Compost Program. Composting allows us to sequester carbon thereby reducing global CO2 emissions. Sustain DuPage’s composting program avoids wasting resources that would otherwise go into local landfills while at the same time building soil that is packed with a rich macro and micro-nutrients.

Compost Crew Station

What to Bring to Compost

Anyone in the area may drop off the types of organic material we accept, including kitchen scraps, leaves, grass that has not been chemically treated, and pumpkins.  We do not accept any animal products or manure.

Our compost program builds soil, which is applied to the Sustain DuPage Garden beds and shared with members and volunteers.

How to Drop Off Compost

Sustain DuPage requests that individuals drop off food scraps and yard waste by walking from the parking lot to the compost area. If you have a large load, we can help you out. To respect our property, which we share with others, including children, we do not allow large vehicles to drive directly to the compost area except in special circumstances pre-approved by Sustain DuPage leadership.

What You Can & Cannot Bring to Compost

Do Don't
Coffee Grounds Sticks
Fruit and Veggie Peels Any foods with Oil, Dairy, Salt
Egg Shells Ash
Mushrooms Garbage, Plastic, Dryer Lint
Leaves Any Kind of Animal Waste
Unsprayed Grass Clippings Chemically Treated Materials (Herbicide or Pesticide)
Non-woody Plant Material Newspaper
Weed Seeds