If you are just starting out then I can understand your concern about the kinds of materials you could throw into the compost pile and what you need to avoid. Everything from your household scraps to yard waste can be composted but I do recommend certain types of materials to be kept away. The thumb rule for composing is having a good balance of browns and greens in your compost pile. Waste that includes raw materials which are added to your compost. The green disposables can be found in your kitchen, your home, and your garden. By adopting an eco-friendly habit and avoiding the habit of simply dumping out all the household trash, you are contributing in a good way by reducing the landfills. Furthermore, you are also offering your plants a greener and healthier life.
What I like about composing is, it allows me to have complete control over the kind of things that go into the composting pile. When I go out to buy fertilizers and compost for my plants, I cannot be 100% sure that they are safe however; when I make my own compost, I know that I am using the best and making my very own compost which will be 100% chemical-free. So, let’s take a look at the common things that you could find in your home and garden that you could use to compost, they are;
- Old spices and herbs
- Dry lint
- Dust from vacuuming and sweeping
- Dry dog and cat food
- Herbivorous animals bedding that includes; hamsters, rabbits, etc.
- Old wine
- Non-animal scraps like tea bags, tea leaves, coffee filters and coffee grounds, cereal, bread, feedings, vegetables, and fruits
- Bush trimmings
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
All these items are great to add to your composting pile however; you do need to consider the next step;
Special or prep time
The below materials can be mixed into the compost however; they cannot be simply tossed into your composting bin into a regular heap, they would remain as it is for a couple of seasons without any changes to them. You must consider prepping the below-mentioned items, let’s prepare.
- All paper bags, receipts, newspapers, etc. must be shredded
- If you have cotton balls, paper towels, and tissues that are soaked in makeup, kerosene, and bacon fat avoid adding them to the pile
- Toilet rolls, egg cartons, cardboard
- Bamboo, wool, silk, linen, cotton made sheets, and towels that are used
- Old twine and string that is made from natural fabrics
- Wine corks, toothpicks
- Pits from plums, peaches, avocados, mangoes, etc.
- Corn cobs
- Nutshells
- Dry old pasta
- Hair from human or pet
- Twigs
- Wood chips
- Sawdust
- Pine cones
- Pine needles
Grass trimmings are very essential and make an amazing addition to your compost pile. Recently it has been discovered that although they are nutrient-rich when directly added to a composting pile they get stinky and slimy. They easily turn into a mat that is oxygen-free. It has water at an increased percentage turning anaerobic the moment there is no oxygen. So, in order to avoid this sort of situation always make sure it is mixed with various ingredients like sawdust and soil.
Well, that’s all for now guys and I do hope that the insights shared in this article have given you clarity as to what can you put in compost. All the best!