Composting is a fantastic way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard debris into valuable soil amendment for your garden. However, not everything is suitable for the compost bin. Adding inappropriate materials can slow down the composting process, create odors, attract pests, or even harm your plants.
By being selective about what goes into your compost bin, you can ensure that your compost is healthy and effective for garden use. Always opt for organic, untreated materials where possible to maintain the quality of your compost.
Here’s a list of items you should avoid adding to your compost pile.
Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt should not be added to your compost. They decompose slowly and can create unpleasant odors, which attract pests like rats and flies.
Meat and Fish Scraps
Like dairy, meat and fish can also attract pests due to their odors as they decompose. They can also harbor harmful bacteria, making the compost unsafe.
Fats, Grease, and Oils
Cooking grease, oil, and fats can create a coating around other materials in the compost bin, preventing the breakdown of these and other materials. This can also lead to unpleasant odors and pest problems.
Diseased Plants
Adding plants that are diseased or infested with pests can spread those issues to your compost and subsequently to your garden. Always discard diseased plants far from your garden and compost.
Pet Droppings
Droppings from dogs, cats, and other carnivorous pets can contain pathogens harmful to humans. Adding these to your compost can introduce these pathogens to your garden.
Colored or Glossy Paper
While some paper products can be composted, colored or glossy papers often contain inks and chemicals that might be toxic to your compost. Stick to plain, unbleached papers like newspaper or cardboard.
Pesticide-Treated Plant Materials
Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides or herbicides might kill beneficial composting organisms. These chemicals can also end up in your garden soil.
Coal Ash or Charcoal
Ash from coal or charcoal should not be added to your compost pile because it can contain substances that are harmful to plants. However, wood ash can be added in moderation.
Non-Biodegradable Materials
Plastic, metals, and glass will not break down in a compost bin and can contaminate your compost. Furthermore, biodegradable plastics also shouldn’t be added unless they are certified compostable.
Bread and Baked Goods
These can attract pests and mold. Mold from bread can spread through your bin and can be problematic when the compost is used.
Rice
Uncooked rice can attract rodents, while cooked rice can promote the growth of unwanted bacteria.
Tea and Coffee Bags
While tea leaves and coffee grounds are excellent for composting, the bags they sometimes come in might not be. Some tea bags are made from synthetic materials that won’t break down in a compost pile.
Citrus Peels and Onions
These materials are not necessarily harmful, but they can take a long time to decompose and can temporarily make the compost too acidic for some plants.
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