Avoid Including These Items in Compost: Top 10 Prohibitions
Diving into the realm of composting, it's all about turning your kitchen waste into garden gold while avoiding unwanted critters and odors! But there are some things you should steer clear of, as they can turn your compost pile into a mouth-watering nightmare. Here are 10 items you should never, ever toss into your compost bin!
No More Smelly Pits: What Not to Compost
Animal Waste
Unlike those organic veggie scraps, animal feces are a big no-no! Animal waste may contain harmful bacteria or parasites, posing a threat to your garden and food. Beyond the bacterial issues, they simply create a stink in your pile that no one wants to be around.
Dairy Products
If you love cheese and believe in recycling your leftovers, you might be disappointed to learn that dairy products don't belong in the compost. Similar to animal waste, cheese and dairy scraps can lead to an unpleasant odor and slow down the decomposition process. The high fat content in dairy slows the aeration process, leaving your compost pile feeling sluggish.
Meat, Fish, and Bone Scraps
Meat, fish, and bone scraps contribute to the same problem as dairy. When you toss these into the compost, instead of breaking down, they will rot. The result? A stinky pile, not a rich, soil-enriching compost.
Infected or Bug-Infested Plants
It's not enough to compost plants; it's essential to compost healthy ones. Diseased or bug-infested plants should stay far away from your compost bin. By doing so, you prevent disease-carrying pathogens from harming your compost pile, which can in turn affect your garden.
Chemically-Treated Yard Clippings and Ash from Coal or Charcoal
Ash from coal or charcoal and chemically-treated yard clippings both pose threats to your compost pile. These items contain harmful chemicals, raising the pH levels of the compost and hindering its growth. Additionally, they can introduce dangerous chemicals into the soil when used.
Single-Use Plastic Cutlery
You may be tempted to compost the plastic cutlery you find in your kitchen, but it's best to leave that one in the trash can. Plastic and other non-compostable materials like fruit stickers and plastic-coated wrapping paper do not break down and can leave microplastics in your pile.
Gloss-Printed Cardboard
Cardboard is often a recommended item for composting, but gloss-printed cardboard should be avoided. The gloss or coating tends to include inks and chemicals that are not compost-friendly, just like plastic.
Stickers on Fruits and Veggies
When it comes to the fruit and vegetable peels you compost, be sure to peel off any stickers or labels before tossing them in. Those stickers are often coated with plastic, and since plastic does not break down in compost, it's best to leave them out.
Plastic-Coated Wrapping Paper
Just like single-use plastic cutlery and gloss-printed cardboard, plastic-coated wrapping paper should never make its way into your compost bin. The same issues related to plastic apply: it does not break down and introduces microplastics into the soil.
An Overabundance of Citric Fruit Peels
Technically, citrus fruit peels can be composted, but be cautious with the quantity. Excessive citrus peels can create a highly acidic environment in your compost pile. While citrus fruits do not cause harm on their own, the peels can negatively impact your composting process if used excessively.
Now you've got the lowdown on what you shouldn't be adding to your compost pile. But that's not where the story ends; there's plenty of good stuff you can add, too!
Transform Your Compost Pile with These Safe-to-Use Ingredients
It's not all bad news – there are plenty of items you can safely compost, and adding them can significantly improve the health and quality of your garden soil.
- Fruit and Vegetable Scraps/Peels: These are a great starting point for your compost pile. Be sure to chop fresh fruit seeds so they don't sprout in your pile, which can be beneficial if you want to grow food from your compost.
- Eggshells: As discussed previously, eggshells are a fantastic addition to your compost – just grind them up before throwing them in.
- Coffee Grounds and Filters: If you're a coffee lover, your used coffee grounds are worth reusing! They contribute nitrogen to your compost and can boost its overall health. Just be careful to avoid adding too much at once.
- Shredded Newspaper: Newspaper is another excellent choice for composting, especially when it's shredded. But be sure to avoid using gloss-printed pages.
- Untreated Yard/Garden Clippings: Green waste from your yard, such as grass clippings, leaves, and straw, can all be mixed into your compost to help keep the balance right. Be mindful of using treated yard waste, as any chemicals may negatively impact your compost.
- Hair and Pet Fur: Believe it or not, adding hair and pet fur to your compost can add valuable nutrients and improve the soil's structure. MIT researchers have even found that human hair can help create carbon-rich soil [1][2].
- Teabags: Dry, unmixed tea bags can provide a welcome addition to your compost pile. Be sure to avoid any tea bags containing artificial or chemical sources of caffeine.
- Paper: Paper products can make for great compost – just be sure it's not gloss-coated. Composting paper products can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and make great soil loam.
- Sawdust: If your compost pile isn't receiving enough carbon-rich materials like dried leaves, consider adding sawdust to help balance the pile.
- Dead Leaves and Straw: If you have an overabundance of dead leaves and straw, these organic materials can be added to your compost pile to improve its carbon-nitrogen ratio.
- Popcorn: For the popcorn lovers, not only is it safe to compost uneaten popcorn, but it's also great for adding texture and porosity to your pile.
- Bananas, Avocados, or Melon Peels: These fruits are safe to compost but should be used sparingly. While they do not contain the harmful toxins found in citrus peels, they still possess considerable quantities of nitrogen.
There you have it! Now that you've gotten the scoop on what not to compost and what you can, your composting journey can start in earnest. Happy composting!
Sources:[1] MIT News[2] MIT News
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