Compost Confidently: Selecting the Best Kitchen Scraps for Success

Composting is a fantastic way to reduce kitchen waste and enrich your garden with nutrient-rich soil. However, not all kitchen scraps are compost-friendly. To help you compost like a pro, here’s a guide on what can be composted and what should be avoided.

Compostable Kitchen Scraps

Fruits and Vegetables

Peels and Cores: Apple peels, banana skins, and citrus rinds.

Leftover Produce: Wilted lettuce, carrot tops, and spoiled fruits.

Trimmings: Onion skins, garlic ends, and potato peelings.

Coffee and Tea

Coffee Grounds: Including the paper filters.

Tea Bags: Ensure they are compostable (avoid plastic-containing bags).

Grains and Bread

Stale Bread: Break it into small pieces.

Cooked Grains: Rice, quinoa, and pasta (in moderation).

Eggshells

Crushed Eggshells: Rinse and crush them for better decomposition.

Nutshells

Non-Toxic Nutshells: Peanut, pistachio, and sunflower seed shells.

Herbs and Spices

Fresh and Dried: Excess herbs and expired spices.

Kitchen Scraps to Avoid

Animal Products

Meat and Fish: Can attract pests and create odor issues.

Dairy Products: Cheese, milk, and yoghurt can also attract pests and create unpleasant smells.

Bones: Take a long time to decompose.

Oils and Fats

Cooking Oil and Grease: Slow to break down and can create a greasy compost pile.

Treated Food Scraps

Processed Foods: Contains preservatives and artificial ingredients.

Baked Goods: Avoid cakes and cookies with high sugar content.

Certain Fruits and Vegetables

Citrus in Large Amounts: Can alter pH balance (use sparingly).

Onions and Garlic: Use in moderation to avoid overpowering smell.

Pet Waste

Cat and Dog Feces: Can contain harmful pathogens.

Litter: Unless it’s labelled as compostable.

Glossy Paper Products

Paper with Coatings: Avoid glossy or plastic-coated paper and packaging.

Conclusion

Composting kitchen scraps is a practical step towards sustainable living. By knowing what to include and what to avoid, you can create a thriving compost pile that benefits both your garden and the environment. Happy composting!