Composting: What to and What not to Compost

Composting is a very worthwhile endeavor and many in their enthusiasm might tend to begin to throw anything into the compost and not realize the consequences. While it is true that a great deal of waste products CAN be composted there are some that definitely should not. This list not fully comprehensive, but should serve as a general guidline. Your actual compost contents may vary depending on the type of composter you purchase.

DO Compost:

• Farm animal manure(not dog and cat manure, which will be discussed later)
• Cardboard paper towel rolls
• Shredded paper and documents (it keeps your identity safer)
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Cotton or wool rags
• Dryer and vacuum lint
• Eggshells
• Fireplace debris
• Fruit and vegetable trimmings
• Grass and yard clippings, and leaves
• Hair and fur
• Houseplants
• Straw or hay
• Nutshells
• Sawdust
• Shredded newspaper (shredded in order to help prevent “clumping” for good air circulation)
• Tea bags
• Wood chips

Do NOT Compost:

• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides because these pesticides could kill the organisms that make composting possible
• Items that might create a more uncontrollable odor problem or a pest or rodent infestation, such as meat or fish scraps and bones, fats, grease, lard, oils, or dairy
• Products like milk, yogurt, sour cream, butter, egg yolks
• Items that might later release substances that are harmful to plants like black walnut tree leaves and trimmings, coal, or charcoal ash
• Plant trimmings that are diseased or infected with insects as these may survive and be transferred back onto the plants you are trying to help
• Pet waste and cat litter because these could contain parasites, germs, pathogensand viruses that are harmful to humans. If you wish to compost these items, it is recommended that use a special pet composter which is designed to handle these issues.