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Boise, ID Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Residential program status
Voluntary, opt-in only
Governing section
BCC § 10-4-2-5
Cart provided
Gray cart, green lid
Contamination consequence
Emptied as trash, extra fee

Summary

Boise runs a curbside compost program, but the city code makes participation voluntary for residents rather than mandatory.

Voluntary Service: Residential curbside composting is a voluntary service available to all residential properties. Residential customers who choose to participate in the composting program shall be provided with a gray wheeled cart with a green lid.

B.   Accepted Materials: Only compostable materials are accepted in the composting program. The items listed as compostable materials for collection, as defined above, may be modified as needed.

C.   Excluded Materials: All other materials are excluded from the compost program. Specific examples include meat eating animal wastes, meats, dairy products, oils/grease, breads, grains, pasta, fish, dirt and rocks and other recyclable and trash materials. Other wastes shall not be mixed with the compostable materials. No plastic bags shall be used to contain compostable materials. Materials labeled "compostable" or "bio-based," including, but not limited to, plastic-type bags, cutlery, and cups, are not accepted. Contaminated compostable materials will not be collected and will be emptied as trash and the customer may be charged for extra trash collection. The list of excluded materials may be modified as needed.

D.   Branches And Christmas Trees: Branches and tree trimmings up to eight inches (8") in diameter may be set out for collection next to the compost cart. Branches and trimmings must be four feet (4') or less in length, less than sixty (60) pounds, and bundled with string. Christmas trees placed for

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).

Full Breakdown

Boise City Code section 10-4-2-5 sets up residential curbside composting as an opt-in service, not a requirement. Any residential customer who wants a gray compost cart with a green lid can request one, but nobody is forced to separate food scraps or yard waste from trash. Commercial properties face a related but separate system: haulers who want to collect commercial organic waste must register with the city, but that registration requirement targets waste haulers, not a mandate that businesses separate organics in the first place.

Violations & Fines

None for residents: there's no penalty for skipping composting. Putting non-compostable material (meat, dairy, oils, plastic bags) in a compost cart can get the container treated as contaminated, emptied as trash, and billed as extra trash collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boise organics/compost recycling mandatory?
No. Boise City Code § 10-4-2-5 explicitly labels residential curbside composting a voluntary service available to any residential customer who wants to sign up.
What happens if I put trash in my compost cart?
Contaminated compostable materials won't be collected as compost: the hauler empties them as trash instead, and you may be charged for extra trash collection.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Boise

All Boise rules

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