With the increasing awareness of the impact that our actions seem to have on our planet more and more people are looking for ways they can make a difference. Composting is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to contribute to bettering the planet. By composting your recyclable food waste, you allow the food to break down naturally and turn into nutrient rich food for our environment. Your garden and plants will flourish! So rather than dumping your scraps in the bin, how hard is it to put them in a separate bin? Not hard at all.
Whether you’re already a composter or just starting out, it pays to know what can and can’t go into your compost bucket – some items just don’t break down, while others contain toxins or diseases that will bring harm to your compost.
Compost
- Grass Clippings & Leaves
- Coffee Grounds
- Fruit Waste – Make sure to remove any stickers on the skin.
- Food Scraps (from plants)
- Egg shells – They can take a long time to break down, but they add calcium to soil.
- Dead Plants (as long as they are not diseased)
- Toilet rolls
Don’t Compost
- Animal Feces (including human waste)
- Dairy Products
- Meat & Bones – Decomposing meats can produce anaerobic bacteria, which can interfere with the composting process. It can also attract pests and smell rotten.
- Tea Bags – While the tea can be composted, unless the bag is made of natural fibres, it won’t break down.
- Wood/Coal Fire Ash
- Treated Paper (glossy/coated)
- Saw dust (unless it is from untreated wood)
Some of these items can be composted, but involve a bit of work to make it safe enough to mix in with your compost. It’s always better to be safe than sorry hence why we suggest disposing of them in another way. Once you start composting, you will see how easy it is and how rewarding it feels to give back to nature!
