Acceptable Food Waste

alcoholic beverages and residuals
Beans, stalks and residuals from preparation
breads
Cake and Pastry packaged and open
coffee and coffee products
cooking oils
corn syrup
dairy products
eggs
Fats and cooking grease
Fish and sea food processing residuals
flours, sugars, starches
food wrapping paperfruits and fruit residuals
herbs and residuals from herb processing
Horse bedding
Institutional food residuals
Jello
juices and residuals
liquid residuals from drink products
liquid residuals from food products
manure
meats
napkins
nuts packaged and opened
organic fraction of household waste
packaged dinners
packaged drink mixes
paper towels
Pet food
poultry and residuals from poultry processing
Pre Consumer Food Waste
residuals from baking goods processing
residuals from beverage processing
residuals from food preparation
residuals from food processing
Restaurant food scrapings
Sauces for foods
School and public facility food scraps
sodas and soda residuals
Transfer station separated organics
trimmings
vegetable oil
vegetables and vegetable residuals
vegetative farm residuals
vegetative waste, grass and yard trimmings
waxed cardboard
yogurts

Partially Acceptable Food Waste (No more than 15% of Bucket)

dinner ware, forks , knives, spoons
foil
Glass, or glass containers
linens
Metal Containers
Plastic wrappings or bags

NOT ALLOWED

Animal Bones
Batteries
Bricks
ceramic
chemicals
cleaners
concrete
construction material debris
hazardous material or substances including but not limited to:
lumber, metal plates, or bars
paint
process residuals
solvents, VOCS, tar, oil, oil products (cooking oil is allowed)
wood products

For more clarification contact torusfoodwaste@gmail.com.

Composting with Torus: Acceptable and Unacceptable Food Waste
At Torus, we strive to make composting as accessible and effective as possible for everyone in New Jersey. Understanding what can and cannot be composted is crucial to ensure a successful and sustainable composting process. We’ve created this detailed guide to help you navigate the different types of food waste and materials that are acceptable for composting with us.
Acceptable Food Waste
When you compost with Torus, a wide variety of food waste and organic materials can be included. This includes everyday items such as:
• Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh, cooked, or even fruit and vegetable residuals are welcome. Whether it’s peels, cores, or whole fruits and veggies that have gone bad, these can all be composted. • Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products are acceptable. We handle these materials to prevent odors and ensure they break down properly. • Breads and Baked Goods: Whether it’s stale bread, leftover cake, or packaged pastries, these items can be composted. • Meats and Seafood: Residuals from poultry, fish, and other meats are also acceptable. We ensure these break down safely without attracting pests. • Cooking Oils and Grease: Small amounts of cooking oils, fats, and greases are acceptable. These materials are managed carefully to avoid issues in the composting process. • Pet Food: Leftover pet food, whether dry or wet, can be composted. • Paper Products: Paper towels, napkins, food wrapping paper, and waxed cardboard are also accepted, as they break down easily in compost.
We also accept food waste from institutions, restaurants, and schools, making it easy for businesses and public facilities to contribute to a greener planet.
Partially Acceptable Food Waste
While we accept a wide range of materials, there are some that should be included sparingly in your compost bucket:
• Plastic Wrappings or Bags: These materials should make up no more than 15% of your compost bucket. They break down very slowly and can contaminate the compost. • Foil, Metal Containers, and Linens: Similar to plastics, these items should be limited to 15% of your bucket’s content to avoid hindering the composting process.