Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I sign up?
You can sign up for one of our community drop-off bins here. We have drop-off bins located in different neighborhoods around Cincinnati. Select the drop-off bin that is most convenient for you, and then follow the prompt to sign up. Once you complete the sign-up process, you’ll receive an automated email with information on how to access your community drop-off bin. You can cancel your plan at any time. - How much does it cost to sign up for a drop-off bin?
We offer sliding-scale payment options, between $5 and $15 per month, that allow households to pay what they can while participating in Cincinnati’s household composting efforts. We also realize that some households do not have the capacity to pay for service. If this applies to you, please reach out to us and we’ll send you an access code for free sign up. - How do I collect my food scraps at home before I drop them off?
This is completely up to you! We recommend a small kitchen pail or receptacle like one of these. Other options would include 5-gallon buckets or paper grocery bags. Please reach out to us if you need some tips on how to best separate your scraps at home. - When are the drop-off bins accessible?
With the exception of the Lower Price Hill community bin, all of our community drop-off bins are located outside and are accessible 24/7. You can visit them as frequently and whenever you need.
- What are some tips for keeping my compost receptacle clean?
The best way to keep your compost bin clean is to avoid food scraps breaking down. Drop off as frequently as you are able to to limit decomposition. You can also delay decomposition by keeping your food scraps in your freezer until you are ready to take them to your drop-off bin. We also like to think about our compost receptacles as a dirty dish that we have to clean after each use! Designate a compost-specific sponge by your kitchen sink for cleanup.
- I am a business/organization looking to compost. How can I learn more? How much does it cost?
Reach out to us on our contact page, and we’ll follow up with a quote. Read more about our commercial service here. - What kind of commercial customers do you typically work with?
We collect with all sorts of folks! These include restaurants, coffee shops and roasters, bakeries, office buildings, food pantries, food manufacturers, and apartments/condos. - I am a property manager and would love to provide composting for my tenants. How can I learn more?
Cincinnatians are itching to reduce their carbon footprint and take care of the planet – and what better way to encourage this than helping your tenants to compost! As a property manager, you have the opportunity to provide this service for your tenants who don’t otherwise have access to a yard to compost their own food scraps. To learn more and set up service, reach out to us on our contact page. - Is this a clean process? What about odor and pests?
Decomposition is a natural process that occurs even without the intervention of us humans! Food scraps are already going into your dumpster – by composting, you’re simply consolidating them into another receptacle. When servicing your bin, we replace your bin with a clean, washed, and lined bin. In our years of operating, we have never had any complaints with odors or pests. In fact, because everything is consolidated in one bin that we clean weekly, we find that our clients’ waste collection areas end up cleaner.
- How do I know what can go in my compost bin?
We have a non-exhaustive list of compostable items provided here. If you have questions or are unsure about specific materials, please contact us. Because we work with farms and gardens who use the compost to grow food, when in doubt, throw it out! - Why can I only use BioBag branded liners?
BioBag branded liners are the only liners our farm and garden partners have found break down for them. You can find BioBag branded liners at Whole Foods, Clifton Natural Foods, or from their online product storefinder. Let us know if you have found BioBags anywhere else in the city! - Why can I not compost single-use compostable plastics with Queen City Commons?
Our farm and garden partners employ small- to medium-scale composting methods, which are unable to break down many single-use compostable plastics. When it comes to compostable, single-use items, there is a wide range of items available, with little regulation around anything being labeled “compostable.” There is also a difference between “biodegradable” and “compostable.” This can create a lot of confusion, and is one of the reasons why we accept very few compostable, single-use items. If there is a compostable item you want to know if we accept, please reach out and ask! When thinking about compostable plastics, we also want to pose the questions – are there other options than single-use compostable plastics for minimizing our waste? Just how much better is a “compostable” fork than a plastic fork when they’re both single-use items made to be “thrown away?”
- What happens to my food scraps?
Every week, we collect and deliver the full compost bins to our composting partners – farms and gardens right here in Cincinnati. Your food scraps are gathered into one big pile, where, with the help of many hungry microorganisms, they break down in a matter of weeks into plant-accessible nutrients. Contrast this to a landfill, where organic material takes years to break down through a process that releases methane, a gas much stronger and more destructive than carbon to our atmosphere. - Can I purchase compost from you?
We do not currently sell compost. Our farm and garden partners process the food scraps and use the finished compost for their garden beds! - How do I get an organization to host a community drop-off bin?
Becoming a site partner helps create greater access to Cincinnati-area households. Reach out to us on our contact page if you or someone you know wants to host a bin. Our drop-off bins are located in business and community spaces which have a built-in sense of public engagement and can provide 24/7 access without disrupting neighbors. Our current drop-off bins are located at community gardens, plant stores, a small neighborhood grocery store, and a small dog park. - Why does this service cost money?
Just like your trash and recycling, we are a paid service. Employing us to compost your food scraps pays for the gas, vehicle upkeep, administrative expenses, and labor (of love) we put into this service. We are dedicated to the betterment of our planet by means of creating a regenerative soil system from your food scraps. We thank you for joining this process with us!