Uncertain. Does macro-trash do it?
Nope. I just tried Macro/Take Out Trash, and while my selfsim did run inside and get the kitchen trash and put it in the composter, she ignored the piles of leaves.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think if you click on the compost bin when you have leaves, it will give you the option to "Gather compostable materials" and that makes them do it. Doesn't work with newspapers, unfortunately. Works with dropped piles of garbage, though.
You're right, this did the trick. I didn't think to click on the compost bin itself.
Thanks so much!