June 27, 2025
Composting tips for outdoor cooking and picnics
By Jeff Patterson
Summer is here and Central Texans love nothing more than outdoor grilling and picnics with family and friends. Having a composting plan can be a great way to reduce waste and make your gathering eco-friendly. Austin Resource Recovery has some practical composting tips:
What to Compost:
- Organic food scraps, like fruit, vegetable peels, corn cobs, tamale husks, buns, etc.
- Compostable Tableware, like certified compostable plates, cups, and utensils (look for BPI-certified products)
- Uncoated paper napkins and towels
What NOT to Compost:
- Greasy or oily food waste
- Charcoal ash (unless it is natural lump charcoal)
- Plastic utensils or coated paper plates
- BBQ sauce or condiments (high in sugar/salt)
Set Up Compost/Recycling Stations:
- Set up clearly labeled bins for “Compost,” “Trash,” and “Recycling” and encourage guests to use them.
- Use compostable or biodegradable bin liners (certified to break down as compost) and brown paper grocery bags. They can help keep things clean and make it easy to transport scraps.
- Educate guests with helpful hints. Simple “What Goes Where” signs can help folks learn how to sort items properly. For help, check out ARR’s online What Do I Do With... tool as a guide.
- Use bins with lids to discourage flies and reduce odors.
Afterwards:
- Transfer compostables to your green City of Austin composting cart or your own compost pile.
- Layer food scraps with grass clippings, dry leaves or brown paper to maintain a good compost balance and reduce unpleasant odors.
For more information visit austintexas.gov/composting.