Look before you use the food-waste bin. Small plastic can hide with old food. It should not go into compost. Compost is dark material that helps plants grow. Fruit stickers and plastic ties may stay inside. They can make the compost dirty. (epa.gov)

Here is an everyday example. You eat a banana at lunch. A small sticker is on the skin. Take off the sticker first. Put the banana skin in the food bin. Put the sticker in the trash. Also remove plastic bags and small ties.

Rules are different in some towns. Read the words on your bin. Your small action helps make cleaner compost.