Can I Compost This? How to Avoid Composting Mistakes

Jaceybonavia/ Zero Waste

Compost is a mixture that consists mostly of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.

Compost is also the process of converting materials into compost.

The answer to the title question is in the definition. If it is organic matter, you can compost it. 

Not all composting systems can handle all types of organic material, though.

Can I Compost Vegetables?

Vegetables are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. Clean your vegetables well to avoid introducing pesticides to your compost, especially your worm bins.

• Artichokes – Artichokes are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Broccoli – Broccoli is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Cabbage – Cabbage is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Carrots – Carrots are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Celery – Celery is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Lettuce -Lettuce is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Spinach – Spinach is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Zucchini – Zucchini is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.

Can I Compost Fruit?

Fruits are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. Clean your fruit well to avoid introducing pesticides to your compost, especially your worm bins. Further, avoid adding citrus and citrus peels to worm bins.

• Apples – Apples are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Bananas – Bananas are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Cherries – Cherries are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Citrus fruits – Citrus fruits are compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities.
  You can also add citrus to worm bins, but it is better to avoid it, when possible. If you do add citrus to a worm bin, add it in moderation and be sure that the bedding does not become too acidic.
• Citrus peels, such as orange peels – Citrus fruits peels are compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities.
  Do not feed citrus peels to worms. Citrus peels contain a chemical (D’limonene), which bothers worms.
• Cucumbers – Cucumbers are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Grapes – Grapes are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Legumes, such as beans and peas – Legumes are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Mangoes – Mangoes are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Peaches – Peaches are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Pears – Pears are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Pumpkins – Pumpkins are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. Worms love pumpkin.
• Strawberries – Strawberries are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Tomatoes – Tomatoes are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. Be sure that your worm bed does not become too acidic.
• Watermelons – Watermelons are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. Worms love watermelon.

Can I Compost Grains and Starchy Foods?

Grains and starchy foods are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. Only add these to worm bins in moderation. They heat up as they break down.

• Bread – Bread is compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities. You can also feed bread to your worms in moderation.
• Corn – Corn is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Pancakes -Pancakes are compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities. You can also feed pancakes to your worms in moderation.
• Pasta – Pasta is compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities. You can also feed pasta to your worms in moderation.
• Potatoes and other tubers – Tubers are compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities. You can also feed potatoes to your worms in moderation.
• Pizza crust – Pizza crust is compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities. You can also feed pizza crust to your worms in moderation.
• Rice – Rice is compostable in home outdoor composting systems and commercial composting facilities. You can also feed rice to your worms in moderation.

Can I Compost Dairy and Eggs?

Dairy and eggs are organic, and thus, they are compostable. However, it would be best if you do not compost them in most composting systems. In worm bins and at-home outdoor composting systems, dairy and eggs will create a foul odor and attract pests. Some commercial or municipal facilities will accept dairy and eggs, and others will not. Check with your local composting facility. Eggshells, however, are great in compost.

• Cheese – You should probably avoid putting cheese in at-home containers because it will create a bad smell and attract unwelcome pests. Check with your local composting facility to determine if they will accept cheese.
• Eggs – You should probably avoid putting eggs in at-home containers because it will create a bad smell and attract unwelcome pests. Check with your local composting facility to determine if they will accept eggs.
• Eggshells – Eggshells are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and most commercial composting facilities.
  When eggshells are crushed into a powder, they are especially helpful for worm composting because the worms can use the powder as grit to help them break down their food.
• Milk – You should probably avoid putting milk in at-home containers because it will create a bad smell and attract unwelcome pests. Check with your local composting facility to determine if they will accept milk.

Can I Compost Meat?

Meat products are organic, and thus, they are compostable. However, it would be best if you do not compost them in most composting systems. In worm bins and at-home outdoor composting systems, meat will create a foul odor and attract pests. Some commercial or municipal facilities will accept meat, and others will not. Check with your local composting facility.

• Bones – You should probably avoid putting bones in most at-home containers because if they aren’t well-cleaned it will create a bad smell and attract unwelcome pests. Check with your local composting facility to determine if they will accept bones.
• Fat, Grease or Oil– You should probably avoid putting fat in at-home containers because it will create a bad smell and attract unwelcome pests. Fat, grease, and oil are especially harmful in worm bins because they are very hard for them to digest. Check with your local composting facility to determine if they will accept fat, grease, or oil.
• Fish some compost collecting companies will collect cooked meat.
• Meat scraps – You should probably avoid putting meat in at-home containers because it will create a bad smell and attract unwelcome pests. Check with your local composting facility to determine if they will accept cooked meat
• Raw meat – Do not compost raw meat at home. Check with your local composting facility to determine if they accept raw meat. Many do not.

Can I Compost Paper Products?

Paper products that are not coated with other materials are compostable.

• Coffee filters – Coffee filters are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Corrugated cardboard – Cardboard is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Egg cartons – Molded pulp egg cartons (not plastic egg cartons) are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Glossy paper – Glossy paper is not compostable.
• Shredded newspaper – Shredded newspaper is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. There are differing opinions on whether paper with color ink should be composted.
• Paper board – Paper board is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Paper napkin – Paper napkins are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Paper cups – If paper cups are lined with plastic, they are not compostable in any composting system. If they are not lined, they would be compostable in all systems.
• Paper plates – If paper plates are lined with plastic, they are not compostable in any composting system. If they are not lined, they would be compostable in all systems.
• Paper towel – Paper towels are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Shredded printer paper – Shredded paper is compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. There are differing opinions on whether paper with color ink should be composted.

Can I Compost Miscellaneous Organic Materials?

• Branches – Branches are compostable. However, it is unlikely you will fit a branch in your worm bin or that it would break down fast enough to be practical in a worm bin. Branches are accepted at most commercial facilities depending on size.
• Coffee grounds – Coffee grounds are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Cotton fibers – Cotton fibers are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Dryer lint – Dryer lint is not compostable if you dried anything with synthetic fibers because it contains microplastics. If you have only dried natural fibers, it is compostable in all systems.
• Garden scraps and plants – Garden scraps and plants are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities if the plants are not diseased.
• Leaves – Leaves are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Feces/Manure – Feces are organic, and, as such, they are compostable. However, if you are adding manure (e.g., rabbit or horse poop) to a worm bin, pre-compost it first, so it does not overheat the worm bin as it breaks down. For many types of feces, such as dog and cat feces should not be used in your worm bin or in home compost intended for gardens because they can contain dewormer medications and pathogens. Check with your local commercial facility to see if they accept any poop, and, if yes, what kinds.
• Salt – Do not put products with salt in your worm bin; it is very difficult for them to digest.
• Spicy food -Do not put products with salt in your worm bin; it is very difficult for them to digest.
• Teabags – Teabags are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities if they do not have any plastic, such as plastic mesh or adhesive. If it has a metal staple, that must be removed first.
• Tea leaves – Tea leaves are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Thick compostable bioplastic utensils – Thick compostable bioplastic utensils are not compostable in worm bins or other home composting systems. Check with your local commercial composting facility to see if they accept these.
• Wool fibers – Wool fibers are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities.
• Weeds – Weeds are compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, and commercial composting facilities. However, if the weeds have gone to seed, don’t put it in your compost because you will grow weeds.

Can I Compost Inorganic Materials?

Inorganic materials are not compostable.

• Biodegradable products – Biodegradable products, such as coffee pods, are not compostable unless specified. Biodegradable means that it will break into smaller pieces, not that it is compostable. All compostable items are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable items are compostable. If they are labeled compostable, it is still unlikely that you can compost them with a home system. Check with your commercial composting facility to see if they accept these items.
• Glass – Glass is not compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, or commercial composting facilities.
• Medical waste – Medical waste is not compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, or commercial composting facilities.
• Metal – Metal is not compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, or commercial composting facilities.
• Plastic – Plastic is not compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, or commercial composting facilities.
• Rocks – Rocks are not compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, or commercial composting facilities.
• Synthetic fibers – Synthetic fibers are not compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, or commercial composting facilities.
• Treated/painted wood – Treated or treated wood is not compostable in worm bins, home outdoor composting systems, or commercial composting facilities.

What materials did I miss mentioning that you are curious about?

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