10 Items That Usually Compostable

When most people think about composting, they picture banana peels, vegetable scraps, and maybe a few coffee grounds. But the truth is, composting goes far beyond kitchen food waste.

Every day, we throw away items that could easily be returned to the soil instead of being sent to a landfill. Paper products, natural fibers, and even a few surprising household items are often compostable, yet they end up in the trash simply because we don’t realize they qualify.

This matters more than we might think. According to the EPA, organic materials like food scraps and yard waste make up more than 30% of what we throw away. When these materials end up trapped in landfills, they decompose without oxygen and release methane (a greenhouse gas that is up to 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide!)

So in this blog post, we’ll briefly explain how composting works and highlight 10 everyday items that are usually compostable, including a few that might surprise you. By understanding what can go into your compost bin, we hope you can reduce your household waste and make more sustainable choices.

The Importance Of Composting

Composting is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to reduce your household waste while giving something valuable back to the earth.

At its core, composting is nature's recycling system. It diverts organic materials such as food scraps, yard trimmings, wood, and even certain paper products away from landfills. It allows these materials to break down naturally, transforming them into a highly valuable soil amendment.

The incredible benefits of composting include:

• Cutting Down Greenhouse Gases: When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane. Composting significantly reduces these emissions by allowing materials to decompose properly with oxygen.
• Lowering Overall Household Waste: It drastically decreases the volume of daily waste sent to landfills, helping reduce pressure on waste management systems and extending landfill lifespan.
• Creating Free, Valuable Resources: Instead of throwing nutrients away, composting recycles organic materials into nutrient-rich soil that supports healthy plant growth, improves soil structure, and enhances moisture retention.
• Create More Green Jobs: Composting programs can also create employment opportunities in collection, processing, and sustainable waste management industries.

Fun Fact: Finished compost is often called “black gold” by gardeners because of its incredible ability to enrich soil, improve moisture retention, and boost plant health naturally!

When compost is applied to gardens, farms, parks, and lawns, it returns nutrients directly back to the soil where they originated. In doing so, composting supports a more circular economy, where materials are reused and regenerated rather than discarded.

Summary: Composting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce household waste. By turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, we reduce landfill emissions, conserve resources, and support healthier soil.

Here Are 10 Items That Are Usually Compostable:

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1. Leftover Food

Fun Fact: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States generated approximately 66.2 million tons of wasted food in the retail, food service, and residential sectors in 2019. Yet only 5% of that wasted food was composted!

Most plant-based leftovers break down easily, providing your compost pile with a massive dose of greens. So instead of throwing these valuable nutrients into the trash, you can safely compost and return these common food scraps directly to the soil:

• Fruit peels (banana, orange, apple)
• Apple cores
• Cauliflower stalks
• Old vegetable leaves
• Potato skins
• Strawberry tops
• Bread crumbs
• Leftover rice
• Spoiled flour and oats

Actionable Tip: Avoid composting meat, dairy, oily foods, or heavily processed foods in basic home compost systems, as they can attract pests and create odors. And keep a small compost container in your kitchen for daily scraps.

Summary: Your leftover food is one of the easiest and most impactful items to compost. Instead of sending valuable nutrients to a landfill, composting your fruit, vegetable, and grain scraps helps reduce your household waste and turns everyday leftovers into a nutrient-rich soil booster.

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2. Coffee & Tea Waste

Not just leftover food, but if you regularly make coffee or tea, you're also creating great material for your compost pile. Instead of throwing your used grounds and tea leaves in the trash, you can simply toss them straight into your compost bin.

Fun Fact: Even though used coffee grounds are literally brown in color, in the composting world, they are actually considered a "green" material. This is because they are incredibly rich in nitrogen!

Here is what you can save from your morning routine:

• Used coffee grounds (Sprinkle them right in)
• Unbleached coffee filters
• Tea leaves (Sprinkle them right in)
• Compostable tea bags

Actionable Tip: Even if you don't have a full compost bin yet, you can actually sprinkle used coffee grounds directly onto the soil around acid-loving plants in your garden, like hydrangeas, azaleas, or blueberry bushes, for a quick nutrient boost!

Always check the packaging to ensure your tea bags are 100% compostable. Many popular brands actually use a hidden web of plastic (polypropylene) to seal the edges of their tea bags, which will not break down and will leave microplastics in your soil.

Summary: Coffee and tea waste is very easy to compost. By saving your used grounds, loose leaves, and unbleached filters, you can keep wet waste out of the landfill and easily add valuable nitrogen to your compost pile.

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3. Paper Products

Many everyday paper products are compostable because they are made from natural plant fibers (usually wood pulp). These fibers break down over time and act as “brown” materials in your compost pile, providing carbon to balance out food scraps and other “green” materials.

Fun Fact: Research from the University of Warwick found that adding recycled paper to compost can actually help control plant diseases! The study showed that disease suppression was particularly noticeable when the green and recycled paper composts were added to peat.

Instead of tossing these items into the trash, consider composting them:

• Newspaper (torn into pieces)
  
• Junk mail (torn into pieces)
  
• Brown paper bags (torn into pieces)
• Used paper towel & napkin

Actionable Tip: It is best to avoid paper towels used with chemical cleaners, synthetic oils, or pet waste. And also avoid glossy, laminated, waxed, or plastic-coated paper, which often contains synthetic materials that do not break down.

In the composting world, paper doesn’t just reduce waste; it can also contribute to healthier soil.

Summary: Most plain, unbleached, and uncoated paper products, such as shredded office paper, newspaper, paper napkins, and towel rolls, are compostable and serve as excellent carbon-rich "brown" material for compost piles.

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4. Cardboard Products

Just like paper, cardboard is often made from wood pulp, making it a fantastic source of carbon for your compost pile.

With the rise of online shopping, most of us have a constant influx of cardboard boxes. Instead of simply flattening them for recycling, some cardboard items can be put to work in your compost pile. (Especially those that cannot be recycled!)

Fun Fact: Clean, dry, and flattened cardboard is best recycled to conserve energy and trees. However, soiled, greasy, or food-stained cardboard (like used pizza boxes) usually cannot be recycled. Composting these items is a smart alternative that keeps them out of landfills while adding valuable carbon to your garden soil.

You can safely add these common household cardboard items to your compost bin:

• Pizza boxes (shredded)
• Compostable egg cartons (shredded)
• Cereal & pasta boxes (shredded)
• Paper towel rolls

Actionable Tip: Shredding cardboard into smaller pieces significantly speeds up decomposition and improves airflow in your compost pile. For best results, mix shredded cardboard with moist food scraps to maintain a healthy carbon-to-nitrogen balance.

In addition to composting, cardboard can also be used as a sheet mulch or weed barrier in gardens. When layered under soil or mulch, it gradually decomposes while suppressing weeds and improving soil structure.

Summary: Cardboard products made from natural, uncoated fibers are excellent carbon-rich additions to your compost pile. By composting soiled or non-recyclable cardboard, you reduce landfill waste and help create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

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5. Eggshells

The average American consumes around 280–286 eggs per year, which means you probably have plenty of eggshells going straight into the trash. Take an extra step and toss them in your compost bin instead to help build calcium-rich soil.

Fun Fact: You can compost both whole eggs and just the shells, but eggshells are preferred. While shells add valuable calcium, whole eggs, especially rotten ones, can create foul odors and attract pests like rats or raccoons.

• Raw eggshells (crushed)
• Hard-boiled eggshells (crushed)

Actionable Tip: Crush your eggshells before adding them to the compost pile. Large half-shells can sit in compost for months, sometimes even years, without fully breaking down. Giving them a quick crush in your hand can make a huge difference.

Summary: Eggshells are an excellent calcium-rich addition to your compost pile. So keep them out of the trash and turn this simple kitchen leftover into a valuable soil booster for your future garden.

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6. Pet Hair

If you have a dog, cat, or other furry companion, you probably vacuum or brush up a lot of them on a regular basis. But instead of throwing it away, you can turn everyday grooming waste into a valuable nutrient boost for your compost pile.

Pet hair is made primarily of keratin, a natural protein that breaks down over time. As it decomposes, it adds nitrogen to your compost pile, making it a “green” material similar to grass clippings.

You can easily compost:

• Dog & cat hair from brushes (sprinkle them right in)
• Pet hair clippings from grooming (sprinkle them right in)
• Even natural human hair (sprinkle them right in)

Actionable Tip: You should avoid composting your pet's hair if they have been recently treated with topical flea, tick, or deworming medications. Those chemical treatments are designed to kill pests, which means they can also harm or kill the beneficial insects and microbes working hard to break down your compost pile.

Summary: Pet hair is a surprisingly useful source of nitrogen for your compost pile. By simply emptying your pet brush into the compost bin instead of the trash, you can turn a daily household chore into healthier soil.

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7. Bamboo Toothbruh Handles

If you’ve switched to a bamboo toothbrush to reduce your plastic waste, you’re already making a smart eco-friendly choice. But instead of throwing that toothbrush in the trash when it’s time to replace, you can actually compost the bamboo handle.

Fun Fact: According to Guinness World Records, bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. Not only that, but they can regrow naturally after being cut down, making them one of the most environmentally friendly materials available.

Here is what you can safely add to your compost pile:

• Bamboo toothbrush handles (bristles removed)
• Used bamboo chopsticks
• Wooden toothpicks

Actionable Tip: Before composting, always remove the bristles from your bamboo toothbrush. Most bristles are made from nylon or other synthetic materials, which are not compostable. You can use pliers or snap the head to remove the bristles.

Summary: Bamboo toothbrushes are an excellent alternative to traditional plastic toothbrushes. By removing the nylon bristles and composting the handle properly, you can prevent unnecessary landfill waste and return natural materials back to the soil.

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8. Yard & Garden Trimming

If you have a lawn or a garden, you are already generating a bulk ton of materials needed for a classic compost pile. Instead of bagging up your leaves and grass clippings for the city to haul away, you can use them as the foundation of your own composting system.

Fun Fact: According to the EPA, Yard trimmings made up 12.1% (35.4 million tons) of U.S. municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018, making it one of the easiest waste streams to divert through composting.

You can easily compost these common yard items:

• Grass clippings
• Dry autumn leaves
• Tree branches
• Flowers
• Any dead or living plants

Actionable Tip: Shredding leaves with your lawnmower or chopping branches into smaller pieces will significantly speed up decomposition. Whole leaves, especially thick ones, can easily mat together and block air from flowing through your pile.

Summary: Tree branches, leaves, flowers, and other yard waste are some of the most valuable materials you can compost. Instead of sending them away as trash, you can turn them into nutrient-rich soil that supports your garden year after year.

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9. Fireplace Ashes

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, wood stove, or backyard fire pit, you probably have a surprising amount of ash in them. But instead of dumping them in the trash, they can be a very useful addition to your compost pile.

Fun Fact: According to the Royal Horticultural Society, wood fire ash is good for compost in moderation, as it acts as a natural source of potash, calcium, and potassium. Which is an essential nutrient that helps plants grow strong roots, produce flowers, and resist disease.

Here is the type of ash you can safely add to your compost:

• Ashes from natural, untreated wood (sprinkle)
• Ashes from burned yard brush or twigs (sprinkle)

Actionable Tip: Sprinkle the ash lightly over your compost pile in thin layers rather than dumping a whole bucket in at once. If you dump it all in one spot, it can form a solid crust when it gets wet, which blocks air and water from moving through your compost.

Summary: Fireplace ashes from natural, untreated wood can be a helpful mineral boost for your compost pile. By using them in moderation and sprinkling them lightly, you can recycle winter fire waste while enriching your future garden soil naturally.

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10. Natural Fabric Scraps (Cotton, Linen, Wool)

Most of us don't think of our old clothes as "garden food," but if they are made from 100% natural fibers, they are completely compostable.

Fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool come from plants or animals, which means they are carbon-rich "brown" materials that will eventually break down back into the earth.

Fun Fact: Many modern clothing items labeled "cotton" are actually blends containing synthetic fibers like polyester, spandex, or rayon to improve durability, stretch, and cost-efficiency. You should not compost clothing labeled as a cotton blend!

You can compost:

• 100% cotton fabric scraps
• Linen cloth
• Wool
• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs (paper stick only)
• Old natural-fiber T-shirts (cut into pieces)

And avoid composting these:

• Polyester
• Nylon
• Acrylic
• Blended fabrics (like cotton-polyester mixes)
• Synthetic thread or elastic
• Treated, dyed, or heavily printed fabrics

Actionable Tip: Because fabric is thicker than paper or leaves, it will break down more slowly. Cutting it into small pieces significantly speeds up decomposition. Also, remember to remove any zippers, buttons, or tags.

Summary: Natural fabrics are a great source of carbon for your compost bin. By cutting up your old 100% cotton, linen, or wool scraps, you can give your worn-out textiles a second life as nutrient-rich soil instead of sending them to a landfill.

Quick Takeaway

Composting is nature’s way of recycling and is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce trash in landfills and build healthy soil.

Here Are 10 Items That Are Usually Compostable:

1. Leftover Food
2. Coffee & Tea Waste
3. Paper Products
4. Cardboard Products
5. Eggshells
6. Pet Hair
7. Bamboo Toothbrush Handles
8. Yard & Garden Trimming
9. Fireplace Ashes
10. Natural Fabric Scraps

You don’t need to compost everything overnight. Just start small!

Keep a container in your kitchen for food scraps. Save your used coffee grounds. Crush your eggshells. Remove bristles from bamboo toothbrushes. Little habits add up quickly.

And remember, composting doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference. Even diverting a small portion of your household organic waste can significantly reduce your environmental footprint over time.

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Compostable Items:

Question #1: If a plastic product is labeled “compostable,” can I add it to my home compost pile?

Answer: No. Unless the label indicates that the product is okay for home composting, you should not try to compost it at home. Most compostable plastics are designed for industrial composting facilities that operate at much higher temperatures than home compost bins.

Question #2: What is the difference between biodegradable plastic and compostable plastic?

Answer: All compostable plastics are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable plastics are compostable. Compostable plastics must break down under specific industrial composting conditions within a set timeframe and leave no toxic residue. Biodegradable plastics may break down slowly, but not always meet these strict standards.

Question #3: How long does it take for compostable items to break down?

Answer: It depends on the material and composting conditions. Food scraps may break down in weeks, while cardboard, fabric, or bamboo can take several months. A well-balanced, regularly turned compost pile will help decompose materials much faster.

Question #4: What should I avoid putting in my home compost bin?

Answer: Avoid synthetic materials like plastic, polyester fabrics, glossy or plastic-coated paper, treated wood, and chemically treated pet waste. These materials either won’t break down properly or may harm the beneficial microbes in your compost pile.