This is a comprehensive guide to composting at home.

Composting Myths 

Unique Items You Can Compost

• Beer/wine
• Natural wine corks
• Hair from your hairbrush
• Cardboard tampon applicators
• Paper egg cartons
• Nail clippings
• Pencil shavings (not colored pencils)

• Fur from the dog or cat brush
• Droppings and bedding from your rabbit/gerbil/hamsters, etc.
• Feathers
• Alfalfa hay or pellets (usually fed to rabbits)
• Rawhide dog chews
• Natural potpourri
• Christmas tree
• Beer/wine
• Natural wine corks
• Hair from your hairbrush
• Cardboard tampon applicators
• Paper egg cartons
• Nail clippings
• Pencil shavings (not colored pencils)

Items You Can Compost Sometimes:

Paper Towels:

• White paper towels can be composted however based on the bleaching process, they may have dangerous chemicals.
• Unbleached paper towels can be composted stress-free.

Soiled Paper:

• Glossy paper should not be composted. While coatings contain naturally occurring minerals such as bentonite and talc, they also contain additives like resins or polyurethane to add strength and protect the paper from ultraviolet radiation. Due to these resins, glossy paper does not break down.
• Office paper can be composted.

Soiled Newspaper:

• Most modern papers use soy ink and are bleached with hydrogen peroxide, which is safe for the environment.
• While most papers use soy ink, it is important to check that your local paper does not use petroleum-based ink.

Soiled Clothing:

• It must be made of all-natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo, linen, hemp, and wool to fully break down over time.
• Clothing with any percentage of polyester, acrylic, nylon, and other plastic-based fabrics is not compostable.

Leather:

• Must be real leather, not treated with chemicals or dyes.
• “Vegan leather” is made of plastics that cannot be composted.

Cellophane:

• Be sure that it is cellophane and not just clear plastic wrap.
• Real cellophane is made from cellulose from wood, cotton, hemp, or other natural sources and can be composted.

Condoms:

• Must be organic/natural latex which comes from tree sap.
• Brands include XO! Condoms sold at MOM’s

Loofahs:

• Many store-bought loofahs are made of synthetic materials such as plastic.
• For loofahs to be compostable they must be natural coming from the Luffa plant.

Gum:

• Conventional gum includes plastics and other synthetic polymers that make it incredibly difficult to break down over time.
• Natural gums that don’t contain plastics, and rather use gum bases like natural latex, chicle, candelilla wax, or beeswax can be composted.
• Brands include Glee Gum, Simply Gum, and Epic Dental.

Wipes:

• Can contain synthetic resins and fibers.
• Wipes should not be composted with human waste, makeup, grease, oils, or chemical products.
• Brands include ECO by Naty, Caboo, and Burt’s Bees.

Cotton Balls/Swabs:

• Must be 100% cotton without harmful chemicals such as chlorine, alcohol, and bleach.
• Brands you can compost: Organyc

Tea Bags:

• Many tea bags use plastic fibers and/or plastic-based sealing resins.
• Research by McGill University found that a single plastic tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastic particles at a brewing temperature.
• Brands include Republic of Teas (the Theo and Thea line), Yogi Teas, Choice Tea, Teeccino, Rishi Tea.

Cat Litter:

• Some cat litters contain silica gel which will not biodegrade
• Biodegradable options are available on the market, made with pine, recycled paper, wheat, etc.
• Brands include World’s Best, Weruva, and Pioneer Pet.

Not ready to compost at home? Don’t have the space?

Consider participating in a community composting program. There are programs that will collect your waste, or give you the option to drop it off. Check out these resources that can start your composting journey here:

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