Seattle has been leading the charge as one of the nation's top-notch recyclers, now pushing for better composting habits to match. A recent report from the Seattle Public Utilities urges residents to step up their game, emphasizing that it's one thing to compost but another to compost correctly, significantly impacting both environmental health and the city's economic vitality.

The lowdown for the citizens of Seattle is simple: food and food-soiled paper are in, and plastics are decidedly out. The city has laid a clear path forward to keep contaminants like micro-plastics from sneaking into compost meant to nourish lawns and gardens. According to an official statement, plastics, bags, containers, and any form of plastic packaging should be kept far away from the compost pile.

When it comes to proper composting, there's a "top 5" list of items that should always find their way into the green bins. From scraps of meat and bones to the dregs of daily life like eggshells and coffee grounds, these organic remnants play a pivotal role in the composting symphony. Even food-soiled paper goods such as greasy pizza boxes are in the compost bin, while their cleaner counterparts belong elsewhere, recycled with care to ensure they don't end up tainting the crucial composting process.

Seattle isn't shy about doling out advice on best practices, with a straightforward graphical guide that depicts the composting do's and don'ts: step one, ensure food waste and soiled papers get their rightful spot in the compost container while keeping plastics from muddying the mix; step two, recycle those clean, empty containers that won't degrade with organic waste; and step three, toss loose plastic bags straight into the trash they only do harm when they're bungled up with the biodegradables. Heeding these guidelines is a simple yet impactful way every Seattleite can contribute to a greener, more sustainable community.