8 Things You Can Compost Today

by 08/03/11 27 Comments

Composting is easier than you think, and you’d be surprised what you can toss into the bin. If you’re still unfamiliar with the concept, check out our favorite how-to guide on starting a compost in the summer. Once you’re up and running, start tossing! Here are eight common items from your household that you can throw in your compost.

Food Scraps

Stock Photo

Food scraps are the first thing most people think of when they’re considering starting a compost. Fruit and vegetable peelings will break down and eventually give you nutrient soil for your garden. If you’re not a huge fan of cooking at home (with loads of veggies and other organic items), we’ve got some waste-free recipes that are sure to change your mind.

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Amanda Wills

Amanda Wills

Managing Editor


  1. Elizabeth Raley

    posted on August 3rd, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    I've heard that you can't actually compost Lint from a dryer because of the synthetic materials in it - at least that is the case with my municipal composting. Great tips though!

  2. Eli Phillips

    posted on August 10th, 2011 at 12:11 am

    but you can use those lint materials as excellent firestarters for camping when using the boyscout method of busting coals :) i put a gallon sized ziplock bag near my dryer trap and save them in a big bag :)

  3. Kathleen Somerville

    posted on August 3rd, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    You can also compost nail clippings, dust pan collection, cotton and wool clothing, pencil shavings, dry cat and dog food, Droppings and bedding from your rabbit/gerbil/hamsters, etc.

  4. Rique Villa

    posted on August 3rd, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    Amazing! Since my wife doesn't drink, I am usually left with some wine to waste. Now my compost will get to enjoy those pricey fine wines with me --or after me!

  5. Aleksander Georgiev

    posted on August 3rd, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    ><

  6. Mandi Hooley Kaufmann

    posted on August 3rd, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    do these all work in vermi-composting?

  7. Miranda Guzman

    posted on April 21st, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    It should -- we have lots of worms in our compost and we have been doing everything except the hair/nails (was not aware of that)!

  8. Tina DiBlasio Schantz

    posted on August 5th, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    if wine is ok, does that mean vinegar is ok too? I used a vinegar spray to chase away a bunch of bees once. they were going in the compost bin because we forgot to cover up a pile of corn silks and husks.

  9. Lanie Gladwin

    posted on August 6th, 2011 at 2:26 am

    What about the earth friendliness of the inks and dies used in news print and bills/junk mail. Should the toxic nature of ink be taken into consideration? Or has ink/dye changed to eco-friendly standards? Ink leftovers from print presses (in most capacities) has to be classified as toxic doesn't it?

  10. Mom-amo

    posted on August 23rd, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    Why do you need to remove the grease from the pizza box?

  11. Ann O'Donnell

    posted on November 25th, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    I've been composting all of the mentioned items for many years. The newspaper & carboard do go to the recycling centre. I am never quite sure about some off the bills, receipts etc. as some of the computer paper is treated with chemicals or has that changed? As a child in the UK. I can remember the schools & restaurants had a "pig bin" next to the rubbish bin (trash can), where they would put food scraps. The scraps to be delivered to a pig farm for slops.

  12. Ernestine Hunter

    posted on November 26th, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    I didn't know that human hair was compostable and recyclable! Quite interesting

  13. Darryl Smith

    posted on November 30th, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    The photo caption is in error. "Greens" are nitrogen-rich and "browns" are the carbons...

  14. Carol J Murphy

    posted on January 27th, 2012 at 4:59 am

    OK to the wine! Especially those I try and don't like, gone guilt, hello compost.

  15. Emily Barker

    posted on March 15th, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    Question about the hair, what about chemically treated (dyed) hair?

  16. Edie Thomas

    posted on March 15th, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    Wow! This is awesome to know! Do the paper and cardboard items break down pretty quick? And what about those "compostable" plates and silverware? I was a strict cloth towel and ecofriendly sponge user, but now I won't feel so bad about the occasional paper towel and just toss it in the compost bin!

  17. Rebecca Ward

    posted on March 15th, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    My municipal composting bin takes all cardboard (we put in reciepts and paper we want destroyed as well) but I've never thought of lint, and clutching my pearls at wine.

  18. Jaye Howard

    posted on March 15th, 2012 at 11:35 pm

    Is it better to shred the paper first or leave it whole for composting? I'm new at composting and how to do it.

  19. Dan Bed

    posted on April 21st, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    shred

  20. Jazmyn Armstrong

    posted on March 16th, 2012 at 1:13 am

    Never knew hair could be compostable.

  21. Miranda Guzman

    posted on April 21st, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    Composting is easy -- here are 8 easy things you can compost!

  22. Sarah Martin

    posted on April 21st, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    We are wanting to start a compost bin. Any suggestions on how to make one.

  23. Miranda Guzman

    posted on April 21st, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    @[100000967219406:2048:Sarah Martin] First we just started with a *pile* -- then we made one with the free wood pallets from Lowe's -- behind lowes by the dumpsters -- my brother Jon just nailed it together (he designed it) so I can stir it but when it is time to use it, I can lift the bin up.... I will post a pic soon!

  24. Suzanne Schroeder

    posted on May 5th, 2012 at 11:32 pm

    I put all my vegetable peelings, cores, coffee grounds in 3 lb can in fridge when full I dig a whole and bury it under straw mulch in planting beds.No mess, no odor.

  25. Marilyn Stokes

    posted on May 5th, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    Susie Seriously>>> Honey I miss you so much!

  26. Iris Sela Horowitz

    posted on May 10th, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    I wonder who is fact-checking these articles? Lint shouldn't be composted! It can contain a whole lot of plastic fibers from fleece and other petroleum-based fabrics. We do NOT want plastic in our compost!

  27. Joy Raab-faber

    posted on May 10th, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    What will putting plastic fibers in your compost do? You know there are mycillium (mushrooms) that EAT plastic?

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