What to Compost
If you are new to the world of composting and don't know what is OK and what is not to add to your compost- I have a comprehensive reference list here for you. The biggest thing to remember is that if its natural its generally OK, within some guidelines, as these items will all eventually break down. If you are composting to use in your food garden or containers remember that whatever you put in there will end up as part of your food- so avoid any chemicals or chemically treated materials. You may also choose to avoid things like rice, pasta, and bread as they can attract pests. Keep your compost pile layered with lots of brown and green wastes, keep it aerated and moist and it will reward you with rich, healthy soil. Food and Yard wastes make up somewhere between 20 to 30 percent of the garbage we throw out. Using these items in compost instead can keep that large percentage out of the landfills.
Best Compost Bins
Here are our picks among the best compost bins of several types.
Lists of What To Compost and What Not to Compost
What to Compost
Household Waste
egg shells
coffee grounds
bagged and loose tea
nut shells- except walnut
banana peels
fruit and vegetable tops and scraps
soy, rice, or almond milk
chopped avocado pits
stale chips and bread
stale spices and herbs
cooked rice or pasta
dog and cat food
citrus and melon rinds
seeds-chopped so they don't sprout
tobacco waste
popcorn and popcorn kernels
corn husks and cobs
coffee filters
dryer lint
vacuum bag contents
cardboard-shred first
black and white newspaper
clean cat litter
paper towel and toilet paper rolls
trimmings from house plants
Christmas trees/wreaths, remove all plastic, wires, decorations,etc.
grass clippings
horse manure and chicken droppings
dead, dry leaves
fresh leaves
vegetable garden waste
very small twigs
pine cones
wood chips and sawdust-untreated
pine needles
pine straw
garden soil
straw / hay
shrub prunings
garden soil
stale beer (see other uses for beer in the garden)
What not to Compost
meat
bones
fat
dairy
oil
mayonnaise, salad dressing
batteries
diapers
colored paper
pizza boxes
styrofoam
diseased plants
human or animal feces
used personal products
walnuts-toxic to some plants
medical waste
chemically treated wood
lime
John says
That's a pretty good and comprehensive list.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
What a great resource!!
We don't have a 'real' compost, but we have a pile in the back corner of our yard that we use as such.
Lisa says
I have a ton of dryer lint! I know what I'm throwing in my compost bin now!!
Norm says
Be careful how much you use. Lint not only contains organics like cotton but also rayon and polyester which are not.
Robin Gagnon says
That is an excellent point.
Virginia @thatbaldchick says
What a great reference list on composting. We have a compost barrel, and this will be handy. By lime, do you mean the fruit or lyme, the other stuff? If the fruit, why not?
Andrew @ Mommy's Busy says
Great list! We've talked about composting before. But now we're scared it could attract the bears in our neighborhood...
Mickey says
Great list! We'll eventually get there, I hope. Right now we recycle what we can and let the rest go. 🙁
Crystal Green says
This is such a great list. I know absolutely positively NOTHING about composting. I just know that supposedly it's good for gardens. Thank you for teaching me my something new for the day.
Kecia says
I have never tried composting, but I want to if we start a garden here. It's nice to have this reference list for the future. I didn't realize there were considerations to make when deciding what to (and what not to) compost.
Digna D. says
Oh my gosh, I just told my hubby the other day that we would have to look up what to put in our compost box after he asked me about something. Thank you VERY much!!
Mandi says
This is something that we'll do once we move out to the country. I doubt our neighbors now, being the s that are would care for anything "weird".
Maria says
What a great list! I wish we had more garden room, we would love to compost.
Robyn says
Wow, nice list. I'm going to share it with a friend who composts.
Kimberly Grabinski says
Great list and that is a beautiful compost bin!
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting says
Fantastic list, thank you! I had no idea!
Ericka Chatman says
This is an amazing list, and just what I needed. I never knew there were certain items you can and can not compost.
trisha says
this is a fantastic list for those that are looking to get started in Composting!
Emily says
Thanks for the list. I was in Costco the other day watching them show those blenders. They used the scraps from a smoothie and blended up to create a 'compost.' Would that have the same effect? I'm guessing not...
Chelle @ Oh Just Stop Already says
Great list of resourceful info especially since we're just starting our own compost pile.
Liz Mays says
I knew there were definite no-no's but I wasn't sure what they were. This is awesome.
Sarah says
It says no oil or salad dressing but if I have food with a little oil on it, would that be bad? Are you just talking about not pouring a whole container in the compost or none at all?
Robin Gagnon says
I try and avoid getting much in and will generally toss heavily dressed salad in the trash, but a small amount on occasion will not cause a problem. Oils do naturally occur in plants.
Deane Hoffman says
Human & pet hair & nail clippings can also go in the compost pile.