Compost or Not

Wooden lumber compost bin in a gardenCompost tumbler on a garden lawn

Can I compost it?

Type any item and get a straight answer: yes, no, or it depends, plus how to do it right.

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Recently answered

The latest items people asked about.

See every item →
  • Can You Compost Pet Hair?

    Can You Compost Pet Hair?

    Yes, you can compost pet hair. It is a nitrogen-rich green material that breaks down best when mixed…

  • Can You Compost Watermelon Rinds?

    Can You Compost Watermelon Rinds?

    Yes, watermelon rinds are excellent for composting. They are nitrogen-rich greens that break down quickly when chopped and…

  • Can You Compost Cardboard Boxes?

    Can You Compost Cardboard Boxes?

    Yes, you can compost brown cardboard boxes. They are a great source of carbon for your compost pile.…

  • Can You Compost Lemon Peels?

    Can You Compost Lemon Peels?

    Sometimes. You can compost lemon peels in small amounts. Learn how to balance their acidity and why they…

  • Can You Compost Paper Bags?

    Can You Compost Paper Bags?

    Yes, plain paper bags are great for composting. They act as a carbon-rich brown material that helps balance…

  • Can You Compost Wine Corks?

    Can You Compost Wine Corks?

    Can you compost wine corks? Sometimes. Natural corks break down slowly and need to be chopped up, while…

  • Can You Compost Beehives?

    Can You Compost Beehives?

    Yes, you can compost untreated wooden beehive parts and wax, but plastic components and treated lumber must be…

  • Can You Compost Pasta?

    Can You Compost Pasta?

    Sometimes. Plain pasta composts fine, but avoid oily sauces, meat and dairy. Learn how to compost noodles safely…

  • Can You Compost Vegetable Soup?

    Can You Compost Vegetable Soup?

    Yes, you can sometimes compost vegetable soup if it is oil-free and mixed with dry browns. Learn how…

Gear guides

The few tools that make composting easier, and which ones to buy.

All guides →
Black compost bin with its lid lifted at the edge of an autumn vegetable gardenBest compost bins for beginnersTumblers, bins and the easiest way to start.Stainless steel countertop compost pail beside a cutting board of vegetable peelsBest countertop compost binsCollect kitchen scraps without the smell.A compost tumbler and a compost bin side by side in a gardenTumbler vs. binWhich one fits your yard, and why.Two bokashi fermentation buckets on a kitchen counter with bran and food scrapsBest bokashi kitsFor meat, dairy and cooked food.

How it works

A compost answer engine that grows every time someone asks.

🔎1. Ask about anythingPizza boxes, dryer lint, a sock, a “compostable” fork. Type it the way you would say it.
⚡2. Get an instant answerIf we have covered it, you go straight to the page. If not, you get a fresh answer in seconds.
📚3. It becomes a pagePopular questions turn into permanent guides, so the next person finds the answer even faster.

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🍌Food ScrapsPeels, cores and leftovers📦Paper & CardboardBoxes, napkins, receipts🍂Yard & GardenLeaves, grass, weeds, wood♻️Packaging & Plastics“Compostable” cups and bags🧦Textiles & FabricSocks, cotton, wool🏠HouseholdDust, lint, hair and oddities🐾Pet & AnimalHair, bedding, droppings🌱OtherEverything else

New to composting?Greens, browns, and what never goes in the pile: the basics in five minutes.

Read the basics →