Common Items You Didn’t Know Were Compostable

For some gardeners, their compost bins fill up quickly, while others have the opposite problem, with their bin sitting empty for weeks. When it comes to composting, most people immediately think of kitchen scraps and grass clippings. However, less obvious household items, like pencil shavings or tea bags, can be composted as well. Below is a list of common items, many of which are derived from natural materials, that are surprisingly compostable. The next time you find yourself picking off the fur that accumulates on your cat brush, save a bit for the compost bin. 

Hassle-Free Composting Options for the Home Gardener

Compost bins are not everyone’s cup of tea – they’re messy, slimy, and odorous. However, thanks to recent innovations, composting has been made easy and smell-free for all. At first glance, it can be pricey, but Vego’s kitchen composter is well worth it, unlike an expensive calendar that you buy, use for a week, and then forget. No longer do you need to brave the cold weather – it’s well within reach of your kitchen. 

For a more affordable alternative, try this in-ground worm composter, designed to be integrated with Vego’s raised garden beds. As with all composting materials, layer thinly at first so as not to overwhelm the bin, which can create an imbalance and increase the likelihood of pests. 

 

1. Tea Bags and Coffee Grounds 

Start off your compost bin with a morning boost – a cup of coffee – or if you’re English, a cup of tea. Both tea bags and coffee grounds are compostable, but make sure to compost traditional tea bags made of hemp and cellulose fibers and avoid those that can contain microplastics. 

2. Stale Pretzels, Pasta, Crackers, and Cereal 

One common problem is forgetting about that old stash of Lucky Charms in the corner. The good thing is that many starchy foods and other plant-based products, including popcorn, pretzels, and cereals, can be composted. Dry cereal and snacks that have gone stale can serve a second purpose in the compost bin. Make sure to avoid composting cereal with milk, as dairy can attract pests and create foul odors. 

3. Old Jelly, Jam, or Preserves

Children aren’t the only ones with a sweet tooth. Old jelly and jams will also feed the compost pile, causing an explosion of bacteria that feed off the sugars present, along with a number of critters. To keep pests at bay, balance with less appealing browns, such as dead leaves and wood chips. 

4. Dryer Lint and Natural Fibers

Dryer lint from predominantly natural fibers such as silk, cotton, or linen, can be also composted. When composting old clothing, first cut or tear it into smaller pieces so it breaks down easier. 

5. Cardboard Boxes 

If you don’t fancy yourself scraping lint off the dyer, a cleaner alternative is to compost leftover pizza boxes and other cardboard items that meet certain criteria – non-waxy, non-corrugated and not heavily printed. As with many other materials, shredding cardboard can help it break down faster.  

6. Animal Fur, Feathers, Fish Food  

It might surprise you that something of little nutritional value can still be composted, but animal byproducts contain nitrogen that microorganisms feast on. They’ll take longer to breakdown (hot composting can accelerate the process), so don’t add too much at a time and be sure to break up any clumps. 

7. Dead Houseplants  

The circle of life continues when dead houseplants are recycled into the compost pile. As long as your houseplants aren’t contaminated with pests or disease, you should be safe to compost them. On a more macabre note, any dead insects you find lingering on windowsills can also add extra nutrients to the soil. 

8. Pizza Crusts 

If you’re that one gardener that adds practically everything to the compost bin, you might also want to add pizza crusts, provided that there’s no excessive oils or toppings. It’s a good idea to bury them deep to prevent animals from tearing into your compost bin. 

9. Wooden Skewers and Toothpicks

Almost everyone uses chopsticks for takeout. Chopsticks, toothpicks, and other wooden items decompose the same way as would sawdust or wood shavings – chopsticks are ideal because they are already minuscule in size. 

10. Flat Soda

For those who can never finish a can of soda, consider sharing it with your friends in the compost pile. Some gardeners are hesitant to pour in soda, but a little cola never hurt anybody. The addition of flat soda and other beverages high in citric acid helps expedite the breakdown of organic material, speeding up the composting process. 

11. Nut Shells 

Nuts may take a long-time composting, but they’re still worth tossing in if you like variety – soak in water and run through the blender for a faster application. They’re beneficial because they help aerate the soil and retain moisture. 

12. Pumpkins and Natural Décor 

Not only is smashing leftover pumpkins a good way to relieve anger, but it’s also good for nature. In larger compost bins, natural holiday wreaths, pumpkins, and other natural décor are readily welcomed. Ask if your neighbor or friend can donate their used jack-o'-lanterns, then deposit them along with the rest of your compost. 

13. Paper-Based Products 

Unsoiled paper towels used for wiping hands or liquids, as well as sweetener packets, are compostable. If you have a kitchen composter, it’s easier to compost those items than to toss them in the trash. 

 

14. Egg Cartons  

Egg cartons, which are composed of weak fibers, are easily composable. Plus, they’re fun to tear apart.