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Interactive guide to what you can and can't compost, with tips and decomposition times. Review the result before reusing it in another workflow.
Aim for ~3 parts brown to 1 part green for optimal composting.
Fruit scraps
Cut into small pieces for faster decomposition
High nitrogen
2-4 weeks
Vegetable scraps
Avoid diseased plants
High nitrogen
2-4 weeks
Coffee grounds
Great for worms. Include the filter.
Moderate nitrogen
2-3 weeks
Tea bags
Remove staples. Some bags contain plastic.
Moderate nitrogen
1-3 months
Fresh grass clippings
Layer thinly to prevent matting
High nitrogen
1-2 weeks
Plant trimmings
Chop woody stems
Moderate nitrogen
2-6 weeks
Eggshells
Crush for faster breakdown
Low nitrogen, high calcium
1-3 months
Fresh manure (herbivore)
Cow, horse, rabbit, chicken
Very high nitrogen
1-3 months
Seaweed/kelp
Rinse to remove salt
High nitrogen + minerals
2-4 weeks
Dry leaves
Shred for faster decomposition
High carbon
6-12 months
Cardboard (plain)
Remove tape and shred into pieces
Very high carbon
2-6 months
Newspaper
Shred. Avoid glossy pages.
High carbon
2-4 months
Straw/hay
Excellent for aeration
High carbon
3-6 months
Sawdust
Use untreated wood only. Use sparingly.
Very high carbon
1-3 months
Wood chips
Best for paths or mulch. Slow in pile.
Very high carbon
1-3 years
Dryer lint
Only from natural fiber clothes
Moderate carbon
1-3 months
Paper towels
Unbleached preferred. No chemicals.
High carbon
2-4 weeks
Pine needles
Use sparingly - slightly acidic
High carbon, acidic
6-12 months
Corn stalks/cobs
Chop into small pieces
High carbon
3-6 months
Meat/fish
Attracts pests and rodents. Creates odor.
Dairy products
Attracts pests and creates bad odor
Oils/grease
Slows decomposition and attracts pests
Pet waste (dog/cat)
May contain harmful pathogens
Treated wood
Contains chemicals harmful to soil
Diseased plants
Can spread disease to garden
Plastic/synthetic
Does not decompose. Contaminates compost.
Coal/charcoal ash
Contains chemicals harmful to plants