We know that organic material if left to decompose it will compost. When we first started the compost pile we would constantly ask ourselves “Is this okay to put in the compost?” It can be confusing knowing what is okay and what is not. We did some studying, asked around, learned from trial and error over the years with our own compost piles. We thought it would be a good idea if we complied a list that we think would be beneficial to those beginner gardeners, homesteaders and maybe those who aren’t quite yet a ” seasoned gardener” who might what a go to list for composting okays when they may find themselves asking “Is this okay to put in the compost?”
Yes, you can-
Livestock Manure
Shredded newspaper
Tea and tea bags
Freezer-burned vegetables
Freezer-burned fruit
Wood chips, sawdust, toothpicks, burnt matches
Hay and straw
Houseplants (as long as they aren’t diseased)
Leaves
Fingernail and toenail clippings
Brown paper bags
The crumbs you sweep off of the counters
Shredded cardboard
Nut shells
Clean paper
Paper towels, Paper napkins
Coffee grounds and filters
Dryer lint
Crushed eggshells (make sure they are crushed, because it takes quite a while if they are not)
Fruits and vegetables
Grass clippings, yard trimmings
Hair and fur
Old spices
Pine needles
Potato peelings
Stale bread
Coffee grounds
Wood ashes
Sawdust
Grapefruit rinds
Houseplant trimmings
Old pasta
Grape wastes
Garden soil
Tree bark
Flower petals
Pumpkin seeds
Expired flower arrangements
Bone meal
Citrus wastes
Stale potato chips
Electric razor trimmings
Apple Cores
Onion skins
Watermelon rinds
Banana peels
100% Cotton cotton balls
Bills and other documents you’ve shredded
Receipts
Pencil shavings
Burnt toast
Produce trimmings
Probably not a good idea but you can-
( We personally choose not to include these in our compost pile)
Vacuum lint
Date pits
Olive pits
Avocado seeds
Mango seeds
Corn Cobs
No, it’s not okay-
(Even on the list below we have heard of some still putting these in their compost but we do not recommend it)
Meat, fish, egg or poultry scraps
Dairy products
Fats, grease, lard or oils
Diseased or insect-ridden plants
Pet wastes like dog or cat feces, cat litter
