### **Step Can Program Terms of Service**

We believe that the little details add up and make a big impact in your composting experience. We've gathered the details of our service and made them transparent and accessible to you.

Last Updated on January 8, 2026

###### Table of Contents

- [Section 1: Billing Details](https://www.compostnow.org/terms-of-service/step-can-program-terms-of-service#section1stts)
- [Section 2: Service Details](https://www.compostnow.org/terms-of-service/step-can-program-terms-of-service#section2stts)
- [Section 3: Compost Details](https://www.compostnow.org/terms-of-service/step-can-program-terms-of-service#section3stts)
- [Section 4: Cancellation Details](https://www.compostnow.org/terms-of-service/step-can-program-terms-of-service#section4stts)

###### Section 1: Billing Details

**Designated Billing Contact:** The member must provide a designated Billing Contact(s). This person will be contacted by CompostNow for anything billing related including updating billing information, billing errors, and receiving invoices/receipts. _Billing Contact(s) can be updated via the_ [_Member Dashboard_](http://www.compostnow.org/member) _._

**Billing Period:** Automatic recurring billing is monthly beginning at the start of service (unless you have an annual membership). Your service will automatically renew at the end of your current billing period unless the member terminates in writing prior to then.

**Billing Terms:** Our payment terms are Net 15 (unless otherwise agreed upon). Any invoice not paid within the stated terms may incur a finance charge of 1.5% per month, 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by law, applied to the outstanding balance until paid in full. A $25 administrative fee may also be assessed on invoices more than 10 days past due. A $25 fee may be assessed for any returned or rejected payment, including but not limited to bounced checks or failed ACH transactions. Accounts more than 45 days past due may be subject to temporary suspension of service until all outstanding amounts are paid. After 60 days, CompostNow may refer the account to a collections agency or pursue other remedies. Customers are responsible for all reasonable costs associated with collection, including administrative fees and third-party recovery costs. CompostNow reserves the right to adjust pricing, billing terms, and service offerings upon a minimum of thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Member.

**Billing Method:** Customers may pay invoices via credit card, check or ACH/bank transfer. Accounts with average monthly charges exceeding $615 may be required to pay via ACH or another non–credit card payment method due to processing fees. CompostNow reserves the right to require or change the accepted billing method for an account with reasonable notice.

**Account Administration Fee:** CompostNow’s standard billing process does not incur additional administrative fees for our members. However, if your business requires us to use a third-party compliance or invoicing platform (such as Avetta, Ariba, Corrigo, etc), you will incur an Account Administration Fee as a line item on your monthly or annual invoice. This fee reflects the administrative costs of managing third-party platforms.

###### Section 2: Service Details

**Designated Service Contact:** The member must provide a designated Service Contact(s). This person will receive email communications from CompostNow in the event of service adjustments, inclement weather delays, and other factors that result in a deviation from their normal service. The Service Contact(s) are responsible for taking corrective action when issues arise such as (but not limited to) blocked access, contamination in containers, and/or overloaded, damaged or missing container(s) for their respective location(s). The Service Contact(s) shall have the authority to request adjustments to the service frequency, service schedule, and number of containers for their respective location.

**Location of Collection:** The member is responsible for providing an accurate description of where their container(s) will be located on their designated service day(s). If the container(s) are not located in the designated location(s) at the time of collection, it may result in a missed collection.

**Access for Collection:** The member is responsible for providing (at their cost) any accessibility materials (badges, FOBs, gate codes, keys, key cards, etc) to access the collection location. If those require an annual renewal with fees associated, the member is responsible for paying for the renewals. We reserve the right to request multiple copies of accessibility materials.

**Service Day:** Members can expect weekly service on the designated day(s) that best align with our operational routes. However, we will work with you and your team to make accommodations whenever possible. CompostNow will also provide advanced notice when the designated service day(s) will change due to holiday closures or occasional operational route balancing.

**Time of Collection:** The route on your designated service day(s) may begin as early as 7:00 am and continue through 4:00pm. The member is responsible for having their container(s) in the agreed upon service location starting at that time. If you have a special request regarding the timing of your collection, we will do our best to accommodate it, but you must provide a minimum 4-hour time window between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm during which the containers will be accessible. This flexibility helps us maintain efficient routing and consistent service for all members.

**Missed Collection:** It is the responsibility of the member to ensure their container(s) are located at the agreed upon service location on their service day(s). If we are unable to locate your container(s), or they are inaccessible, we will notify the member via email and plan to service the container(s) on their next service day.

**Off-Schedule Service Request:** If a collection is needed prior to the next scheduled service day, CompostNow offers an off-schedule collection on the next business day for a fee of $50 plus your standard stop rate. Requests must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on the prior business day to ensure scheduling.

**Additional Container(s) Request (One-Time):** If the Member anticipates a higher-than-normal volume of compostables on a specific collection date, CompostNow may accommodate the request with a minimum of two (2) weeks’ advance notice by providing additional container(s) on the Member’s regularly scheduled service day. Carts can be requested for $50 + $30/cart/collection. Additional stepcans will be billed at the Member's standard stepcan rate per collection.

**Contamination:** Contamination is one of the most significant challenges facing composting programs and facilities, and maintaining a clean stream requires ongoing partnership between your team and ours. Only food residuals and BPI-Certified compostable materials are accepted in your CompostNow container(s).

**Damaged/Missing Container(s):** We will repair and replace container(s) as needed when wear, tear, or damage occurs from normal use. Should container(s) be damaged due to severe overloading or negligence by the customer, we will provide photo evidence and a fee of $250 per container will be charged to replace the container(s).

**Liquid in Container(s):** Our containers are not designed to be filled with liquids. If your container(s) are found to be filled with liquids, an extra fee of $25 will be applied.

**Overloaded Container(s):** Overloaded container(s) cause unnecessary wear and damage to the container(s) and pose a threat to employee safety.

**Extra Compostables:** All compostables to be collected must be placed inside the container(s) with the lid completely shut. We cannot collect compostables outside of the container(s) with the exception of empty pizza boxes.

###### Section 3: Compost Details

**Compost Sharing:** To support our local food system and build healthy soil, ten percent (10%) of the finished compost created from Members’ collected compostable materials is shared with community gardens and local growers through CompostNow’s Garden Partner Program.

**Compost Delivery:** Members can request up to five bags of compost (each bag is 1 cubic ft) to be delivered to their location once per calendar year. This amount is not cumulative and will not carry over into the next year if it isn’t ordered.

###### Section 4: Cancellation Details

**Termination:** The service agreement may be terminated by either party at the end of your current billing period. Your service will automatically renew at the end of your current billing period unless the member terminates in writing prior to that. No refunds are issued for monthly subscriptions unless no collections have occurred during the billing period. No refunds are issued for annual subscriptions.