Thursday, July 28, 2011

You can compost more than you might think

Do you have a compost bin? We have a very simple one made out of old wooden pallets, simple as it is it still does a fine job of making our old yucky scraps into nice fine dirt.

  We have long composted the normal things like apple cores, potato peelings, fall leaves and banana peels but did you know you can also compost:
  • Hair (human or pet- collect it after your haircuts, especially easy if you do it at home, and it is good for your compost.)
  • Used paper napkins or paper towel as long as it isn't greasy.
  • Dryer lint
  • Used toothpicks
  • Tea bags
  • Coffee Grounds and the used filter
  • Stale dry food like noodles, flour, etc.
  • Weeds
  • Toenail Clippings
  • Animal Manure
  • Shredded Paper
  • Used Kleenex
  • Moldy bread
  • Pencil shavings
  • Vacuum bag contents
  • Cardboard
  • Wool scraps
  • Feathers
  • Pine needles
  • Old Bouquets
  • Old Oatmeal
  • Straw
And much more....

If it breaks down and isn't greasy it probably can be composted. A much better alternative to throwing it in the trash- instead it can turn into something useful for your garden.

 Do you have any items to add to this list? Please share in the comments.

3 comments:

All in a Day said...

I do newspaper, which might be your "shredded paper." However, I have noticed animal manure contains lots of weed seeds! :(

Unknown said...

I didn't realize all this could go in my compost box.

Becky R said...

This is cardboard, but some might forget, the egg cartons that are cardboard (not styrofoam.)

I save my dryer lint and card board toilet paper rolls (I also get from my mom, since we only use toilet paper for guests.) I fill the rolls with dryer lint and use as fire starters.

I like keeping all the above items out of my trash and into my compost pile.

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