Let’s talk about what shouldn’t go in your compost bin and the best things to add.
Composting is a fantastic way to recycle organic waste and enrich your garden soil. It helps reduce landfill waste and creates nutrient-rich compost that can enhance plant growth. However, not everything organic belongs in your compost bin.
Putting the wrong items in your compost can cause unpleasant odors, attract pests, and even harm your garden. Let’s explore what should be avoided and the best things to add to ensure your compost remains healthy and effective.
Items to Avoid in Your Compost Bin
- Meat, Fish, and Dairy Products
Why Avoid: These items decompose slowly and produce strong odors that attract pests such as rodents and flies. They can also harbor harmful pathogens that might not break down completely during the composting process, potentially posing a risk to your garden and health.
Alternatives: Instead of composting, meat, fish, and dairy should be disposed of in the trash or, if available, a municipal organic waste collection program that can handle such materials.
- Oils and Fats
Why Avoid: Like meat and dairy, oils and fats decompose slowly and can create unpleasant odors. They also coat organic materials, hindering the composting process and creating an anaerobic environment that fosters the growth of harmful bacteria.
Alternatives: Dispose of oils and fats in the trash or look for recycling programs that accept used cooking oil. Small amounts of oil residue on paper towels or napkins can be composted, but avoid adding large quantities directly.
- Pet Waste
Why Avoid: Pet waste from cats, dogs, and other meat-eating animals contains pathogens and parasites that can survive the composting process and contaminate the finished compost. This poses a risk if the compost is used in vegetable gardens or around edible plants.
Alternatives: Pet waste should be disposed of in the trash or dedicated pet waste composters designed to handle such materials safely. Some municipal composting programs also accept pet waste if they use high-temperature composting methods.
- Diseased Plants
Why Avoid: Adding diseased plants to your compost can spread diseases throughout the compost pile. If the compost doesn’t reach high enough temperatures to kill the pathogens, you risk infecting your garden plants when you use the compost.
Alternatives: Dispose of diseased plants in the trash or burn them if local regulations allow. This prevents the spread of disease and keeps your compost healthy.
- Weeds with Seeds or Invasive Roots
Why Avoid: Weeds with seeds can survive the composting process if the pile doesn’t get hot enough to kill them. Similarly, invasive roots can sprout and spread when the compost is used in the garden, leading to weed problems.
Alternatives: Weeds without seeds or invasive roots can be composted safely. For those with seeds or invasive roots, dispose of them in the trash or use a high-temperature composting system designed to handle such materials.
- Non-Biodegradable Materials
Why Avoid: Items like plastic, glass, and metal do not break down in compost and can contaminate the final product. Even small pieces can be difficult to remove and may harm soil and plants.
Alternatives: Recycle non-biodegradable materials through appropriate recycling programs. Ensure that only organic and biodegradable materials go into your compost bin.
- Chemical-Laden Products
Why Avoid: Products like treated wood, chemically-dyed paper, and plants treated with pesticides or herbicides can introduce harmful chemicals into your compost. These chemicals can harm beneficial microorganisms and plants.
Alternatives: Avoid adding any chemically-treated materials to your compost. Choose untreated wood, natural paper products, and plants not treated with harmful chemicals.
- Certain Food Scraps
Citrus Peels and Onions: While small amounts are fine, large quantities of citrus peels and onions can create an acidic environment that slows down the composting process and harms beneficial microorganisms.
Bread and Pasta: These items can attract pests and create odors if not properly balanced with other compost materials.
Alternatives: Balance citrus peels and onions with a variety of other kitchen scraps. Bury bread and pasta deep in the compost pile to minimize pest attraction.
- Charcoal Ash
Why Avoid: Charcoal ash, especially from briquettes, often contains chemicals and additives that can be harmful to plants and soil.
Alternatives: Dispose of charcoal ash in the trash. Wood ash from untreated wood can be added to compost in small amounts, as it provides valuable nutrients like potassium.
- Synthetic Fertilizers
Why Avoid: Synthetic fertilizers can disrupt the natural composting process and harm beneficial microorganisms. They can also create an imbalance in the nutrient content of the finished compost.
Alternatives: Use natural fertilizers and amendments like compost tea or organic manure. These support the composting process and enhance soil health.
Best Things to Add to Your Compost Bin
- Fruit and Vegetable Scraps
Why Add: These scraps are rich in nitrogen, which helps break down other organic materials and speeds up the composting process. They add valuable nutrients to the finished compost.
Examples: Apple cores, banana peels, carrot tops, and leafy greens.
- Coffee Grounds and Filters
Why Add: Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and can help create a balanced compost pile. They also improve soil structure and attract beneficial earthworms.
Examples: Used coffee grounds and paper filters.
- Eggshells
Why Add: Eggshells are a great source of calcium, which is essential for plant cell wall development. They also help balance the pH of your compost.
Preparation: Crush the eggshells before adding them to speed up decomposition.
- Grass Clippings
Why Add: Grass clippings are high in nitrogen and decompose quickly, providing essential nutrients to your compost. They also help retain moisture in the pile.
Tips: Mix grass clippings with brown materials like leaves or straw to prevent them from compacting and creating an anaerobic environment.
- Leaves
Why Add: Leaves are a good source of carbon, which balances the nitrogen-rich materials in your compost. They also improve aeration and water retention.
Tips: Shred the leaves to speed up decomposition and mix them with green materials.
- Kitchen Scraps
Why Add: Kitchen scraps provide a variety of nutrients and help maintain a balanced compost pile. They include vegetable peels, fruit rinds, coffee grounds, and tea bags.
Examples: Cucumber peels, potato skins, and used tea bags.
- Garden Waste
Why Add: Trimmings, prunings, and dead plants add bulk and structure to your compost, improving aeration and moisture retention.
Examples: Flower trimmings, shrub prunings, and spent plants.
- Paper and Cardboard
Why Add: Shredded paper and cardboard are excellent sources of carbon and help balance nitrogen-rich materials. They also improve aeration and structure.
Examples: Newspaper, cardboard egg cartons, and paper towel rolls.
- Wood Chips and Sawdust
Why Add: Wood chips and sawdust provide carbon and improve the texture and structure of your compost. They help aerate the pile and retain moisture.
Tips: Use untreated wood products and mix them with green materials for balance.
- Manure
Why Add: Manure from herbivorous animals like cows, horses, and chickens is rich in nitrogen and accelerates the composting process. It adds valuable nutrients to the finished compost.
Tips: Ensure the manure is well-aged or composted before adding it to avoid introducing pathogens.
The Dos and Don’ts of Composting
Composting is an eco-friendly practice that benefits both your garden and the environment. By avoiding the items listed above and adding the best organic materials, you can ensure your compost pile remains healthy, odor-free, and effective.
Always focus on adding a balanced mix of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials to your compost and monitor the pile to maintain proper moisture and aeration. With these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to producing rich, fertile compost that will help your garden thrive.
