Last week I shared a how to guide on disposing household items so today I wanted to continue on that theme and talk compost! If you’ve ever wondered ‘Can I compost that?’ then today’s guide is for you!
Before I dive into it just a heads up that this is a general guide to composting – some items might not be appropriate for your particular system (particularly if you’ve got a worm farm) so be sure to double check! It’s also important to note that you will want to add these items sparingly, make sure that food scraps, green prunings and other garden waste still make up the majority of your compost bin to keep it healthy and functioning well.
So here we go – for all these items the answer to ‘Can I Compost That’ is a resounding YES!
Kitchen Items
- Nut shells
- Coffee grounds
- Tea bags
- Biscuits & chips
- Stale beer and wine
- Cupcake or muffin wrappers (paper, not foil)
- Corks from wine bottles
- Paper napkins & paper towels
- Expired jams
- Egg cartons (tear or shred first)
- Egg shells
Bathroom Items
- Cotton buds and balls (if they are 100% cotton)
- Used tissues
- Loofahs (if they are bamboo not synthetic)
- Toilet paper rolls (tear up first)
Stationery Items
- Pencil shavings
- Post-it notes
- Shredded paper
- Cellophane
- Crepe & paper streamers
Other Household Items
- Contents of vacuum cleaner bag
- Clothes dryer lint
- Toothpicks and bamboo skewers
- Used matches
- Dead flowers
- Human and animal hair
- Cotton & wool rags or clothing
- Feathers
- Fish food
- Any cardboard boxes (shred first)
And there we have it! Hopefully this helps you reduce the amount of things ending up in your general waste (or even recycling!) and gives you a healthy, nutrient filled compost! If you’re like me and are composting in a small space don’t forget to check out my apartment composting guide to get you started!
How many of these items are you already composting?
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
Nicole- Champagne and Chips
February 11, 2015 at 2:13 pm (10 years ago)Cellophane! Wow.
Thanks again for a hugely useful list, one day I will be able to compost without fearing my dog will try to eat it 🙂
Nicole- Champagne and Chips recently posted…Baked Falafel and Labneh Salad
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
February 11, 2015 at 8:52 pm (10 years ago)I know, surprising isn’t it! Maybe a sealed option like a bokashi would work for you?
Bele @ BlahBlah
February 15, 2015 at 10:52 pm (10 years ago)Great list. We’ve had to rethink our whole strategy since getting chickens, but I’m slowly finding a way forward. Thank you for sharing x
Bele @ BlahBlah recently posted…Weekend Rewind, Fig salad and love letters
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
February 18, 2015 at 8:00 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Bele xx