What Can I Compost?

Written By David Hammon

Before you start tossing scraps and waste into your new bin, you will need to understand some composting basics so you will know what can and can’t toss into your pile. Composting is strictly for organic nitrogen-based (greens) and carbon-based (browns) materials. A proper breakdown process requires your bin mixture have roughly 50% brown to 50% green.

Examples of Greens:

  • Vegetable scraps

  • Fruit scraps

  • Coffee grounds

  • Tea bags

  • Grass clippings

Examples of Browns:

  • Dead tree leaves, branches and cones

  • Sawdust and hay

  • Untreated wood

  • Newspapers

  • Shredded mail

  • Paper egg cartons

WHAT SHOULDN’T I COMPOST?

This is not to say all organic materials should enter your compost bin. The decomposition process requires the necessary help of microorganisms, which are susceptible to certain bacteria. So, it’s important to keep your bin free of items such as:

  • Treated wood

  • Dog and cat poop

  • Diseased plants

  • Grass clippings sprayed with pesticides/herbicides

  • Plastic products

  • Metal

David Hammon
Previous

How to Make Compost
Next

The Benefits of Composting