Any organic material will compost over time, but for the best results follow this simple recipe: 1/2 “greens” and 1/2 “browns” (by volume), plus some air and water. With these ingredients, you’ll have good, nutrient-balanced compost in no time! Here are some examples of things to compost.
Greens:
Nitrogen-rich materials that are a source of protein for the microbes at work on
your pile
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Egg Shells
- Stale bread
- Corn husks/cobs
- Tea bags
- Coffee grounds
- Plant trimmings
- Green leaves
- Fresh grass
- Hair
- Weeds (that have not gone to seed)
- Rotted manure (no dog or cat)
Browns:
Carbon-rich materials that provide energy for the microbes
- Dried grass
- Dried leaves
- Straw
- Wood chips
- Twigs and branches
- Paper (newspaper, shredded paper, paper towels, napkins, brown bags, etc.)
- Cardboard
- Sawdust
- Grain chaff and hulls
Do Not Compost:
- Meat, dairy, or fish (may attract animals to your pile)
- Oil or oily food wastes (can upset the moisture balance and attract animals)
- Dog or cat feces (may contain parasites)
- If using a worm bin, do not include citrus or onions – these are bad for worms and they will try to escape your bin!
See our “Tips for Composting in Bear Country” in the Getting Started section for more information.
Go back to Compost 101