14 Common Items You Didn’t Know You Could Use as Compost
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Composting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce waste while creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Most people know to toss in vegetable scraps and coffee grounds, but there are plenty of common household items you’ve been throwing away that could be composted.
Many unexpected items can help your compost thrive. In this article, we’ll highlight 14 everyday things you didn’t know you could turn into compost, transforming your trash into garden treasure.
Paper Towels and Napkins
Used paper towels might seem like trash, but if they’ve only been used for drying hands or soaking up water, they’re perfect for composting. Made from natural fibers, they break down quickly, adding a much-needed dose of carbon to balance the nitrogen from food scraps. Tear them up to speed up the process, and you’re good to go.
Hair and Pet Fur
The hair you sweep off the bathroom floor or the fur left behind after brushing your dog can go straight into the compost bin. Packed with nitrogen, these organic fibers decompose over time, giving your soil a nutrient boost. Just make sure you distribute it evenly to avoid matting.
Old Spices
That old jar of cinnamon or paprika at the back of your pantry? Instead of tossing it, compost it! Even expired spices can enrich your compost pile, breaking down to add valuable nutrients and ensuring nothing goes to waste. Composting spices is a smart way to declutter your kitchen cabinets without guilt.
Cardboard Egg Cartons
Egg cartons made from cardboard (not plastic or Styrofoam) are a fantastic carbon source for your compost. Tear them into small pieces before adding them to ensure faster decomposition. These containers will help balance the wetter, nitrogen-rich scraps you toss in from the kitchen.
Wine Corks
Natural corks are biodegradable and can be a valuable addition to your compost. Made from the bark of cork oak trees, they are eco-friendly and enhance the quality of your compost pile. Breaking them into smaller chunks aids faster decomposition, allowing the cork to break down more efficiently.
Cotton Balls and Swabs
Cotton balls and swabs (only the 100% cotton kind) are more than just bathroom trash—they’re compostable. As long as they haven’t been used with chemical products like nail polish remover, they can break down alongside your food scraps and yard waste, adding organic material to your pile.
Tissue Paper
If you have leftover tissue paper from gift wrapping, as long as it’s plain and free from glitter or plastic coatings, it makes a great compost material. Its lightweight texture breaks down quickly, providing an easy carbon source to balance the compost equation.
Shredded Newspaper
Shredded newspaper is a fantastic carbon source for composting. Layer it in with your vegetable scraps to keep things balanced. Avoid the glossy pages, and shred the paper into small pieces for faster breakdown.
Stale Bread
Bread that’s gone stale or moldy can still be used in your compost bin. To help it break down faster, tear it into small chunks instead of tossing it out. Just be cautious about adding too much at once, as large quantities of bread can attract pests.
Nut Shells
Remember to save the shells the next time you snack on peanuts, almonds, or walnuts! Nutshells take longer to break down, so crushing them before composting is best. Over time, they’ll add texture and nutrients to your finished compost.
Tea Bags and Coffee Filters
Paper coffee filters break down easily and can go straight into the compost pile with the grounds. Similarly, many tea bags are compostable, but check to ensure they’re free from synthetic fibers first. Both items add valuable organic material to your compost.
Houseplant Trimmings
When pruning your houseplants, don’t toss the trimmings in the trash. Houseplant cuttings and leaves are rich in nitrogen, making them an excellent addition to your compost pile. As they decompose, they contribute organic matter that improves soil structure and fertility.
Wine and Beer
Both wine and beer can make surprising additions to your compost pile. The sugars in wine and beer can serve as a nitrogen source, helping to accelerate the decomposition process. However, use them sparingly; excessive quantities can create an overly wet compost that might lead to unpleasant odors or attract pests.
Natural Loofahs
Natural loofahs, derived from the fibrous interior of the loofah gourd, are not just for scrubbing your skin. Once they have reached the end of their usefulness, chop them into smaller pieces and add them to your compost. Loofahs contribute a unique texture to the compost, helping to aerate the mix and improve drainage.
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