FAQS

What can I include in my bucket?

Follow our Compost Guide but in short we can accept ALL food products. Anything you would have eaten, can go in your bucket.

Do you accept products that are labeled “Compostable” or “Biodegradable”?

We can only take products that are marked BPI Certified. Look for the BPI logo when purchasing compostable products. Email us a photo with product information if you’re unsure. If there is any doubt, please toss it out!

We CAN accept the Trader Joes green produce bags. We CAN NOT accept produce bags from Whole Foods as they are not BPI certified. 

What if my bucket is full and I have extra scraps? 

The cost to collect extra scraps is $7.00 and will be charged to your card on file.  Advanced notice is appreciated if you have overflow. Please put extra scraps in a BPI Certified compostable bag, not in plastic bags. We have additional bags for purchase if needed. 

I’m having a party and will need a larger bin to compost. Do you provide this?

Yes, just reach out to use and we can discuss options and pricing for your event.

Can I change my pickup frequency?

Yes, just email us and we can adjust this for you. We can not accommodate specific day requests but we can switch you from bi-weekly to weekly or vice versa.

Where do I leave my bucket for pickup? 

Our mission is to build compost communities throughout New Jersey and you play a vital role in this. Please leave your bucket in a visible location preferably towards the end of your driveway or walkway so our driver’s can easily access it. (Please don’t put it by the curb as it may be confused with regular trash). If this doesn’t work for you for some reason, leave it at the bottom of your stoop with the label facing outwards to show your neighbors you’re a proud composter :) 

What time is my pickup? 

Our service window is from 7am to 8pm in the evening. Please make sure the lid is snapped on completely before setting it out.

Our routes are constantly changing as new customers come on every week so your buckets may be picked up at varying times from week to week. 

Will my pickup day be the same day each week?

Yes, your pickup day stays the same week to week. The only time your pickup day would change is if we are improving our route efficiency. In this event, we will email you in advance to let you know your new pickup day. 

We appreciate your flexibility. Together we are making a difference!

What if there is bad weather?

It’s important to us that we provide reliable, consistent service so we do pickups in all types of weather. However, if there is a weather incident that poses a danger to our drivers, we will reschedule your pickup. This change will be communicated via email. 

I live in an apartment or townhome community, can I still compost with you?

Yes! We just need to confirm a good place to leave/retrieve your bucket. Please reach out to us so we can help troubleshoot this with you. 

What if my bucket is lost, stolen or damaged?

Please notify us and we’ll provide a replacement bucket which is $12.00.

Do I need to be home for pickups? 

No, you don’t! That’s the beauty of our service. Super easy and convenient. 

What if I forget to put my bucket out and I miss a pickup?

Email us so we can communicate with our driver to see if they have already been to your location. If they have, these are the options:

• Wait till you next scheduled pickup

• If our driver is still on route and can loop back around, we will try to accommodate you. A “Loop Around Fee” of $5.00-$10.00 will be charged to your card on file depending on how far they are from your location. 

• If our driver is finished with the route and has to come back on a different day outside your normal service day,  a “Come Back Fee” of $15.00- $25.00 will be charged to your card on file depending on your distance from our HQ.

Where should the bucket go in my house?

Wherever it’s easiest for your family to adopt the composting habit. Some people leave it in the corner of their kitchen near their trash or under the kitchen sink. Others keep it in their garage and use a small counter top container to collect their scraps and then transfer them to the green bucket when full. 

*our buckets are not intended for outdoor use. If you leave the bucket outside all the time, there’s a good chance animals will start gnawing at it causing damage. If the lid needs to be replaced, a $2.00 fee will be issued. If the whole bucket needs to be replaced, the fee is $12.00. If you prefer to keep your bucket outside, we strongly recommend storing it inside a galvanized steel can, like this one, to prevent damage. 

Can I skip my service if I’m away?

Yes. Log in to your Java’s Compost account and click on Service and Support in the green navigation bar. Select Service Calendar from the drop down menu. Once on the service calendar page, you'll see a list of upcoming service dates on the right hand side with the option to skip and unskip. A pop up window will appear to confirm your choice. Please repeat this process for any additional dates you wish to skip. 

Will I get charged if I skip a pickup?

No. You will be credited the cost per pickup less $1 for administrative fees. If you are on a weekly schedule, you will be credited $11.50 per skipped pickup and $16 if you are on a bi-weekly schedule. 

Will my bucket smell? 

We’ve had very few issues with smells. When you start separating your organic material from non-organic material, odors tend to decrease. Our driver’s thoroughly clean your bucket at each servicing. Yet, everyone’s sensitivity to smells is different so if you notice an odor, let us know and we can help find a solution. 

Will I get fruit flies?  

Not necessarily, but possible. Fruit flies come into our homes on the fruit we purchase so they are virtually impossible to avoid completely. Keep the lid on your bucket closed so flies can’t  get in. You can also mitigate fruit fly presence  by storing ripe fruit in the refrigerator (fruit flies can’t survive the cold) or cover fruit bowls with a lid.

In more gross news, will I get maggots?

Most likely not, but also possible. Maggots like moisture so they are more likely to appear in the warmer months when summer fruit is abundant. Maggots are actually housefly larvae so the best defense against them is keeping your bucket snapped closed. Make sure your screen doors are closed so they stay out of your house and therefore your  bucket!

Fun Fact:

Despite their unsightly appearance, maggots are actually amazing decomposers that help break down compost very efficiently. So for backyard composters they are important, especially black soldier fly larvae. We know, they’re still gross!

Do you have a referral program?

We hope you’ll spread the word and recruit friends and neighbors to join our composting family. As a thank you, we offer a Give $10, Get $10 incentive. Both you and your referred friend will receive $10 off your next invoice. To access your unique referral link, log in to your Java’s Compost account and look for the ❤Give $10, Get $10 in the green navigation bar at the top of your screen. A pop up window with your link will appear. Copy and paste that link and email or text it to your friends. 

FEES AT A GLANCE: