Revised On: Nov. 25, 2023 - 8:20 a.m.

The following guidance is for household composting only. For commercial composting, you will need to get notification approval | Learn More >

Static Composting

OK to Compost

• Paper (staples removed) — includes newspapers and non-glossy paper
• Wax-coated paper products
• Cardboard (tape and staples removed)
• Leaves/yard waste (weeds OK for hot piles only — do not include in a cold compost pile to prevent spreading weeds where using compost)
• Sawdust
• Veggie and fruit scraps
• Non-plastic tea bags (staples removed)
• Egg shells (crushed)
• Coffee grounds
• Tissues, paper towels, napkins
• Herbivore manure (e.g., guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, cow, etc.)
• Chicken manure — compost in a hot pile only to kill off pathogens and cure (sit unused) once finished for 45 to 60 days to ensure all pathogens have been killed
• Hair (uncolored, unbleached)
• Nail clippings (without polish)
• Urine (great source of nitrogen but err on the side of caution if you take medication)
• Corks
  

Do NOT Compost

• Plastic or plastic-coated products (e.g., plates, cups, etc.)
• Bioplastics
• Styrofoam
• Oil — except in small amounts (for example, greasy pizza boxes are usually ok if you scrape off food bits)
• Meat, bones
• Dairy
• Cooked foods

Vermicomposting

OK to Compost

• Paper (staples removed) — unbleached and black ink only
• Cardboard (tape and staples removed)
• Sawdust (untreated wood only)
• Veggie and fruit scraps — limit amount of citrus and acidic foods and limit the amount of onions and garlic (some worms do not like eating them and can get smelly if left uneaten)
• Non-plastic tea bags (staples removed)
• Egg shells (crushed)
• Coffee grounds 
• Tissues, paper towels, napkins
• Hair (uncolored, unbleached)
• Nail clippings (without polish)
• Corks

Do NOT Compost

• Plastic or plastic-coated products (e.g., plates, cups, etc.)
• Bioplastics
• Styrofoam
• Treated wood
• Grass clippings
• Anything treated with chemicals
• Styrofoam
• Oil
• Cooked foods — anything containing a lot of salt or preservatives is harmful to the worms
• Meat and bones
• Dairy
  

Bokashi

OK to Compost

• Veggie and fruit scraps
• Meat and bones
• Dairy
• Cooked foods
• Non-plastic tea bags (staples removed)
• Egg shells (crushed)
• Coffee grounds
• Tissues, paper towels, napkins
• Hair (uncolored, unbleached)
• Nail clippings (without polish)
• Corks

Do NOT Compost

• Plastic or plastic-coated products (e.g., plates, cups, etc.)
• Bioplastics
• Styrofoam
• Liquids
• Black, green or blue mold
• Oil — except in small amounts (for example, greasy pizza boxes are usually ok if you scrape off food bits)

Tip: Beware of  the “100% Compostable” label. This typically means the product needs to be composted in an industrial facility, not a home pile, to fully break down.

Note: Human solid waste can be composted in a composting toilet but shouldn't be composted using any of the above methods. Also, dog/cat feces (as long as not collected from clay-based or crystal dedorant-containing litter) can be composted using caution. Compost in a separate hot pile that must reach and stay at 165 degrees for at least five days to kill parasites, and then cure for at least two years before use. Never use this compost on anything edible (lawn, flowers are OK).