A lot of our waste can skip the landfill and go straight to the compost. If you find yourself wondering ‘What Can I compost?’ here is a handy list! For more information on balancing greens (nitrogen sources) and browns (carbon sources), please see Composting 101.
When you are starting out your compost pile, stick to the ‘yes’ list until you get the hang of the process. Use common sense when it comes to germs – you don’t want to add nasty viruses and bacteria to your pile. Most common issues are taken care of in a well managed hot (over 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 days minimum) compost pile – but many home piles (and all home tumblers) are too small to reach and sustain this temperature.
What Can I compost?
Kitchen waste is the biggest category, but you can also find items to compost in the bathroom, garden, and even your closet.
YES! Add Freely to Your Compost:
(Just remember to keep greens and browns balanced.)
| browns: |
| bamboo skewers |
| cardboard and cotton earbuds |
| corn cobs |
| disposable bamboo chopsticks |
| disposable bamboo cutlery |
| dry dog or cat food |
| egg shells |
| garden trimmings (dried) |
| grass clippings (dried) |
| human and pet hair |
| nail clippings |
| paper towel tubes |
| paper straws |
| silk floss |
| toilet paper tubes |
| toothpicks |
| un-printed cardboard |
| greens: |
| Fruit and vegetable peels |
| garden trimmings (fresh) |
| grass clippings (fresh) |
| Juicer pulp |
| old cut flowers |
| rotten fruit and vegetables |
| used coffee grounds |
Use Caution: Use your best judgement and/or add in moderation.
| browns: |
| cooked pantry items (rice, pasta, beans) – cover well to discourage scavengers |
| leather – slow to break down |
| old cotton sheets or towels – slow to break down |
| old cotton, hemp, or wool clothing – slow to break down |
| sargassum (dried) collect by hand and leave in the rain to wash off excess salt |
| sawdust – make sure it is from untreated wood |
| stale bread – cover well to discourage scavengers |
| stale nuts, seeds, and nut shells (except wallnuts) – cover well to discourage scavengers |
| stale pantry items (rice, pasta, beans) – cover well to discourage scavengers |
| tea bags – some are made with plastic and should be removed |
| unwaxed printed boxes – make sure there is no plastic coating |
| used paper napkins – except those soaked with grease or animal products |
| used tissues – use common sense with germs! |
| greens: |
| chicken, horse, cow, or goat manure – HOT PILE ONLY – fresh, well covered, and use common sense with germs! |
| citrus peels – use in moderation, remove plastic stickers |
| sargassum (fresh) – collect by hand and rinse of excess salt |
| urine – use common sense with germs! |
| weeds – make sure they have not gone to seed yet! |
NO!
| animal products – ok in large hot/commercial piles only |
| cleaning chemicals |
| dog and cat poo (or any other carnivores – their waste requires a dedicated system) |
| glass |
| glossy coated paper or cardboard |
| grease |
| metal |
| plastic |
| poisons |
| treated wood |
| persistent/invasive weeds that have gone to seed – ok in large hot commercial piles only |
