What Can You Compost?

You’ve probably found yourself standing in the kitchen, holding a piece of food waste, wondering, "Can this go in the compost?" Some things are obvious. Others? Not so much. Let’s break it down with a clear guide to what belongs in your compost bin and what should be avoided.

The Basics: Greens and Browns

All compostable items can be classified into two categories: Greens and Browns. These are the key ingredients for creating healthy, balanced compost.

Greens (Nitrogen-rich, usually wet):

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds
• Fresh grass clippings
• Plant trimmings
• Tea leaves

Browns (Carbon-rich, usually dry):

• Dry leaves
• Torn-up cardboard
• Non-glossy paper
• Wood chips
• Straw

A healthy compost pile requires a balanced ratio of both. If there are too many greens, it will become slimy and smelly. Too many browns, and it will dry out and decompose slowly.

General Rule: Aim for 3 parts browns to 1 part greens by volume for optimal composting conditions.

Yes, Compost These (Greens)

Fruit Scraps:

• Apple cores
• Banana peels
• Citrus peels (use sparingly due to acidity)
• Berry stems
• Melon rinds
• Stone fruit pits (they take longer to break down but won’t harm the compost)

Vegetable Scraps:

• Potato peels
• Carrot tops
• Onion skins (limit in quantity)
• Garlic skins (limit in quantity)
• Lettuce and salad scraps
• Corn cobs and husks
• Pepper cores and seeds
• Tomato stems

Coffee and Tea:

• Coffee grounds (a great nitrogen source)
• Paper coffee filters
• Tea leaves
• Tea bags (ensure any staples are removed; some bags contain plastic—check the packaging)

Other Greens:

• Fresh grass clippings
• Healthy plant trimmings
• Weeds (as long as they haven't gone to seed)
• Houseplant trimmings
• Fresh flowers

Yes, Compost These (Browns)

Paper Products:

• Newspaper (non-glossy)
• Cardboard (torn into pieces)
• Paper towels and napkins (unbleached preferred)
• Paper egg cartons
• Paper bags
• Shredded paper
• Paper plates (uncoated)

Yard Waste:

• Dry leaves
• Straw and hay
• Wood chips and sawdust (untreated wood only)
• Pine needles (use sparingly due to acidity)
• Small twigs and branches

Other Browns:

• Eggshells (crushed for faster breakdown)
• Nut shells (except walnut—toxic to some plants)
• Dryer lint (from natural fiber clothes only)
• Cotton and wool scraps (100% natural only)
• Wine corks (natural cork, not synthetic)
• Hair and fur

Compost With Caution

While these items are technically compostable, they require special attention:

• Citrus peels: Acidic and contain oils that can slow decomposition. Use in moderation.
• Onions and garlic: Can deter beneficial organisms. Use sparingly or chop into small pieces.
• Bread and grains: Attract pests. Bury deep in outdoor piles.
• Cooked vegetables (plain): Fine in small amounts, but avoid any with oil or butter.
• Diseased plant material: Only compost if your pile gets hot enough (140°F+) to kill pathogens.
• Weeds with seeds: Only compost if your pile can reach temperatures high enough to kill the seeds.
• Large branches: Must be chipped or broken down before composting.

Do NOT Compost These (Traditional Composting)

Avoid these items in your traditional compost pile:

• Meat and fish: Attract pests (rodents, raccoons, flies) and produce unpleasant odors.
• Dairy products: Cause the same issues as meat—cheese, milk, yogurt, butter, etc.
• Oils and fats: Coat materials, preventing decomposition and attracting pests.
• Bones: Take years to break down and can attract animals.
• Pet waste (dog, cat): Contains harmful pathogens that can affect humans. Different from herbivore manure.
• Diseased plants: Can spread disease to your garden if the pile doesn’t reach high temperatures.
• Treated wood: Contains harmful chemicals that don’t break down and can harm plants.
• Coal or charcoal ash: Contains chemicals toxic to plants (different from wood ash).
• Synthetic materials: Plastics, synthetic fabrics, rubber—these will not break down.
• Glossy paper: Contains plastic and chemicals—magazines, catalogs, and coated paper.

The Exception: Enclosed and Electric Composters

Many of the "do not compost" rules are based on traditional outdoor composting. Enclosed compost systems can handle:

• Meat and fish (in moderation)
• Dairy products
• Cooked food with oils
• Small bones

Our electric composters accept:

• All food scraps, including meat and dairy
• Cooked foods
• Small bones (model-dependent)

Always check your system's specific guidelines for proper composting practices.

Things That Seem Non-Compostable But Are

Some unexpected items can be composted, including:

• Hair and nail clippings: High in nitrogen, break down well.
• Latex balloons: Natural latex is biodegradable (avoid foil or synthetic latex).
• Cotton balls and Q-tips: 100% cotton with paper sticks.
• Matches: Wooden kind, burned or unburned.
• Old herbs and spices: They're just dried plants.
• Pencil shavings: Made from real wood pencils.
• Cotton and wool clothing: Cut into small pieces, 100% natural fiber only.
• Wine corks: Natural cork (synthetic is plastic).
• Stale bread and crackers: Bury deep to avoid pests.

Things That Seem Compostable But Aren't

Some items labeled as "biodegradable" or "compostable" aren’t suitable for home composting:

• "Biodegradable" plastics: These typically require industrial composting conditions and won’t break down in home compost.
• "Compostable" packaging: Check if it's certified for home composting—most need industrial facilities.
• Produce stickers: Plastic—remove before composting fruit peels.
• Teabags: Many contain plastic mesh. Tear open and compost just the tea.
• Dryer sheets: Coated with chemicals, not compostable.
• Vacuum cleaner contents: Contain synthetic fibers, plastic, and chemicals.

The Bottom Line

When in doubt, ask yourself: "Is this natural, and will it break down?"

Most kitchen scraps and yard waste are compostable. Items that were once alive and haven't been treated with chemicals typically work well in your compost bin. If you're unsure, it’s better to leave an item out than risk contaminating your compost. A healthy compost pile is worth the effort—it’s okay to miss a few items rather than jeopardize the entire process.