What can you compost at home?
Most plant-based kitchen and yard waste can go in a home compost pile. A few things need care, and some should stay out to avoid smells, pests and health risks.
Yes Careful No
| Item | Home pile? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit and vegetable scraps | Yes | Green. Chop large pieces. |
| Coffee grounds and paper filters | Yes | Green. |
| Eggshells | Yes | Crush them so they break down faster. |
| Dry leaves | Yes | Brown. Shred them if you can. |
| Grass clippings | Yes | Green. Mix with browns so they don't mat. Skip if treated with weed killer. |
| Plain cardboard and paper | Yes | Brown. Shred it; remove tape and skip glossy paper. |
| Straw, wood chips, untreated sawdust | Yes | Brown. |
| Tea bags | Careful | Many contain plastic. Use loose tea or plastic-free bags. |
| Weeds | Careful | Only before they set seed, unless your pile gets hot. |
| "Compostable" plastics | Careful | Most need an industrial facility, not a home pile. |
| Citrus and onions | Careful | Fine in outdoor piles; skip in worm bins. |
| Meat, fish and bones | No | Attract pests and smell in home piles. |
| Dairy, oils and greasy food | No | Attract pests and slow the pile. |
| Dog and cat waste | No | Can carry harmful pathogens. |
| Diseased plants | No | Can spread disease back to your garden. |
| Treated or painted wood, coal ash | No | Can contain harmful chemicals. |
For home piles and bins. Some community and city programs accept more, such as meat or compostable packaging; check your local program's list.
Simple habits
Caddy
Keep a lidded caddy by the sink.
Cover
Bury scraps under browns every time.
Chop
Smaller pieces break down faster.
Sign
Post a yes and no list for the household.
Read greens and browns and keep pests out of compost, or balance your pile with the compost calculator.