30 Non-Food Items You Can Toss in the Compost Bin
Every year, the U.S. generates a staggering 268 million tons of food waste — and about 28% of that could be composted.¹ Instead, much of it ends up in landfills, where it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that fuels climate change.²
If every household in the U.S. composted, it would prevent the equivalent of over 7 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions each year.¹
Already a seasoned composter? Great! You’re probably familiar with the things you can safely compost (e.g. fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, etc). However, there are many non-food items that are also guaranteed to rot away in your compost bin. Keep reading for a list of surprising compost-friendly items.
But first, what is composting?
If you’re totally new to composting, welcome. Composting is a practice in which you gather organic materials like food scraps and yard waste to break down and decompose together. Once microorganisms have fully broken down these materials, you’re left with nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining fertilizer for your houseplants and garden. This fertilizer will add nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to your soil — all nutrients plants need to thrive.³
30 non-food items you can compost
Keep in mind that only natural items are compostable — anything made from plastic or that has a plastic coating is a no-go for your compost bin. Not sure if something is compostable? Always check if a product is certified compostable by looking for a clear "compostable" label with a recognizable third-party certification logo like the ones below.
In your kitchen
1. Natural wine corks
2. Beer, wine, and spirits (add sparingly to keep microorganisms alive)
3. Bones from meat and seafood
4. Used napkins and paper towels
5. Used matchsticks
6. Paper plates without a plastic coating
7. Barbeque ashes
8. Plant-based cooking oils and fats
9. Parchment paper
10. Toothpicks
11. Bamboo skewers
12. Wooden chopsticks
Around your house
13. Used facial tissues
14. Toenail clippings
15. Furballs and feathers
16. Leftover hair from your hairbrush
17. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton
18. Dryer lint from clothes made with natural fibers
19. Cotton swabs with bamboo sticks
20. Soap scraps
21. 100% natural rubber or latex balloons and rubber bands
22. Fireplace ashes
23. Aquarium plants
24. Pencil shavings
25. Natural potpourri
26. Pure beeswax or natural wax candles
For the holidays
27. Dirty paper table cloths
28. Carved pumpkins
29. Holiday wreaths made from natural materials
30. Evergreen garlands
7 surprising things that aren’t compostable
Some of these items simply won’t break down, while others could attract pests and other animals. These are a few items you should keep away from the compost bin:
1. Glass
2. Pet waste
3. Glossy paper
4. Black walnuts
5. Milk and dairy products
6. Meat and seafood
7. Menstruation products
Sources:
1 Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute. (n.d.). At-home composting. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/at-home-composting.html
2 United Nations Environment Programme. (n.d.). Methane emissions are driving climate change—Here’s how to reduce them. Retrieved November 15, 2024, from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/methane-emissions-are-driving-climate-change-heres-how-reduce-them
3 US Composting Council. (n.d.). Compost — Promotes Healthier Plant Growth. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/PlantGrowthBenefits
