Items To Compost (And 5 You Can't)

Starting a compost pile seems simple until you’re standing over your bin wondering if that weird kitchen scrap is going to ruin everything. Some materials transform into beautiful soil while others create smelly disasters or attract every pest in the neighborhood.

Getting it right means knowing what accelerates decomposition and what gums up the works. Here are 15 things that belong in your compost—and 5 that absolutely don’t.

Vegetable peels and scraps

Onion skins, carrot peels, celery ends, and pepper cores all break down beautifully. These nitrogen-rich scraps decompose quickly and add nutrients plants need.

Just about any vegetable waste from meal prep works perfectly.

Fruit waste and cores

Apple cores, banana peels, melon rinds, and berry tops all make excellent compost material. Citrus peels work too, though some people avoid them because they break down slower and can repel worms.

In reasonable amounts, all fruit scraps are fine.

Crushed eggshells

Eggshells provide calcium and help balance your compost’s acidity. Crush them into smaller pieces so they decompose faster instead of sitting intact for months.

A quick rinse prevents attracting flies or creating odors.

Hair from hairbrushes

Human hair and pet fur from brushing are high in nitrogen and decompose slowly. It might seem odd, but hair is organic material that adds nutrients to your compost.

Just pull it from brushes and toss it in, mixing with other compost scraps for best results.

Loose tea leaves

Empty your tea bags or use loose leaf tea, and those leaves enrich your compost nicely. Remove any staples from the tea bags first.

The leaves themselves decompose quickly and add valuable nutrients.

Shredded paper

Plain newspaper, office paper, and cardboard provide carbon that balances the nitrogen from food scraps. Shred them first and stick with black ink only—avoid glossy magazines or colored paper.

This turns junk mail into something useful.

Dry leaves and twigs

Autumn leaves and small twigs are classic compost ingredients that provide structure and carbon. Chopping or shredding them speeds decomposition.

They’re abundant, free, and essential for keeping your compost pile balanced.

Fresh grass clippings

Grass clippings deliver nitrogen and moisture but can get matted if you add too much at once. Layer them with dry materials like leaves to prevent clumping and odors.

They decompose remarkably fast when mixed properly.

Wood chips and sawdust

Untreated wood chips or sawdust from natural lumber work as brown material in compost. They absorb moisture and add carbon.

Just make sure the wood hasn’t been treated with chemicals or painted.

Cotton and wool scraps

Natural fabric scraps from 100% cotton or wool clothing can go in compost if you cut them into small pieces. Synthetic materials won’t break down, so check labels carefully.

Old t-shirts and wool socks eventually become soil.

Houseplant clippings

Trimmings from healthy houseplants decompose just like outdoor plant material. Dead leaves, pruned stems, and spent flowers all work.

Avoid diseased plants or those treated with pesticides.

Nut shells

Shells from peanuts, almonds, pistachios, and most other nuts eventually break down in compost. They take longer than softer materials, so crushing them helps.

Walnut shells are the exception—skip those entirely.

Napkins and paper towels

Used paper towels and napkins from food prep are fine for compost unless they absorbed cleaning chemicals or grease. They’re already damp and break down quickly.

This keeps paper products out of landfills.

Stale bread and pasta

Old bread, cooked rice, pasta, and other grain products technically compost, though they can attract animals. Bury them deep in your pile to discourage pests.

Small amounts mixed in well usually don’t cause problems.

Natural wine corks

Cork from wine bottles is tree bark, so it composts like wood. Chop corks into smaller chunks to speed things along.

Plastic corks that look like cork need to go in the trash instead.

Meat, fish, and bones

Meat scraps, fish, and bones attract rats, raccoons, and other pests you definitely don’t want. They smell awful as they decompose and can harbor harmful bacteria.

These belong in the trash, not your compost.

Dairy products

Cheese, milk, yogurt, and butter create odor problems and attract pests just like meat does. They also slow down decomposition and can introduce pathogens.

Keep all dairy out of your compost bin.

Pet feces

Dog and cat waste contain parasites and bacteria that survive composting and can contaminate vegetables. These pathogens make people sick, so never use regular compost containing pet waste on food gardens.

Dispose of it separately.

Glossy or coated paper

Magazines, glossy advertisements, and coated cardboard contain inks and coatings that don’t belong in compost. These materials won’t break down properly and can introduce unwanted chemicals.

Stick with plain paper only.

Weeds with seeds

Weeds that have already gone to seed will spread those seeds throughout your compost and eventually back into your garden. Home compost piles rarely get hot enough to kill all seeds.

Pull weeds before they seed or throw seedy ones in the trash.

Making compost work

The composting sweet spot is easier to hit than most people think. You can compost the vast majority of kitchen scraps and yard waste without issues.

The short list of things to avoid mostly covers common sense items that attract pests or introduce contaminants. Get those basics right and your compost practically takes care of itself.

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