The Ultimate Guide: What You Can (and Can’t) Compost at Home

Composting is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. But knowing what belongs in your compost bin — and what doesn’t — can be confusing. Here’s a detailed guide to help you compost effectively at home.

🌱 What Composting Really Is

Composting is the natural breakdown of organic matter into humus, a nutrient-rich material that feeds plants. A successful compost pile balances:

• “Greens” – nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps and fresh grass.

• “Browns” – carbon-rich materials like dry leaves and cardboard.

Not everything breaks down easily in a backyard compost pile, so knowing the difference between what works at home and what doesn’t is key.

🍎 Food Scraps: What to Compost

✅ Perfectly Compostable Foods

These are staples for any compost pile:

• Coffee grounds and paper filters

• Eggshells (and small amounts of yolk)

• Fruits and vegetables (raw or even moldy)

• Cooked fruits and vegetables (in moderation)

• Tea leaves and paper tea bags (without plastic)

• Nuts and nutshells

• Rice, bread, and plain pasta (bury to avoid pests)

• Citrus peels

These materials break down naturally and provide essential nutrients for your compost microbes.

❌ Foods to Avoid

Certain foods should be kept out of a backyard compost pile:

• Meat, fish, and bones

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, or yogurt

• Oils and greasy foods

These items attract pests and create strong odors. They can sometimes be composted using special systems like Bokashi bins or electric composters, but not in a traditional backyard setup.

📦 Household & Miscellaneous Items

✅ Compostable at Home

• Cardboard and paperboard egg cartons

• Newspaper and clean paper products

• Pizza boxes (break them up first)

• Toilet paper and paper towel tubes

• Natural cork wine stoppers

• Hair and pet fur

⚠️ Conditional Composting

• Paper towels and napkins (only if used with food or natural cleaners)

• Dryer lint (only if from 100% natural fibers)

• “Compostable” cups, utensils, and bioplastics (only if labeled home-compostable)

❌ Do Not Compost

• Plastic, metal, and non-organic materials

• Produce stickers

• Synthetic cleaning pads

• Leather goods

  
  

🍁 Yard & Garden Waste

✅ Great for Composting

• Dried leaves

• Grass clippings (mix with browns to prevent matting and odor)

• Pine needles, straw, and hay

• Flowers and houseplants (not diseased)

  
  

⚠️ Special Cases

• Animal manure is safe only from herbivores like rabbits, horses, and chickens. Dog and cat waste should not go into garden compost due to harmful pathogens.

🧠 Why Some Things Don’t Belong

Backyard compost piles rarely get hot enough to safely break down:

• Meat and dairy rot before they compost, attracting pests.

• Oils and fats coat materials and slow decomposition.

• Synthetic fibers and plastics never break down.

• Some “compostable” materials require industrial heat and controlled conditions.

🧩 Tips for Better Composting

• Use a mix of 2–3 parts browns to 1 part greens

• Chop materials into small pieces to speed decomposition

• Turn your pile regularly to add oxygen

• Keep the pile moist but not soggy

📝 Quick At-A-Glance Guide

Category	Can Compost at Home	Avoid in Backyard Compost
Fruit & Veg	✅	—
Coffee & Tea	✅	—
Meat, Bones & Fish	❌	Special systems only
Dairy & Oils	❌	Special systems only
Paper/Cardboard	Mostly ✅	Shiny or coated plastics ❌
Compostable Plastics	Sometimes	Only home-certified
Hair & Fur	✅	—
Plastic/Metal	❌	—
Pet Waste	❌	—

Composting is simple once you know the basics. Start with what you know is safe, balance your greens and browns, and your backyard bin will reward you with rich, healthy soil for your garden. Every little bit helps reduce waste and nourish your plants!