Thanksgiving makes more kitchen scraps than any other day of the year. Most of them can go in your compost, a few need a hot pile, and some should never go in. Here is the quick list, with a link to the full answer for each one.
Easy yes: toss these in
| Leftover | Compost it? | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Potato peels and plain potatoes | Yes | Chop whole ones so they don’t sprout |
| Pumpkins and pumpkin guts | Yes | Scrape off wax and paint |
| Pumpkin seeds | Yes | Bury them in the hot center |
| Corn husks | Yes | Shred them or they take months |
| Carrot tops and veggie trimmings | Yes | Mix with browns |
| Eggshells | Yes | Crush them first |
| Coffee filters and grounds | Yes | Paper filters only |
| Paper napkins and paper towels | Yes | Not ones used with cleaners |
| Centerpiece flowers | Yes | Pull out the floral foam |
| Fallen leaves from the yard | Yes | The perfect brown to balance all this food |
Sometimes: these need care
| Leftover | Compost it? | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey bones | Sometimes | Hot pile only; cold bins just dry them out |
| Bread, rolls and stuffing | Sometimes | Bury deep; draws rats in cold bins |
| Cranberries and cranberry sauce | Sometimes | Small amounts; very acidic and sugary |
| Leftover vegetable soup | Sometimes | No cream or oil, drain the liquid |
| Pasta and mac and cheese | Sometimes | Plain pasta yes, cheesy sauce no |
| Cheese boards | Sometimes | Hot pile or municipal bin only |
| Decorative gourds | Sometimes | Chop them; skip painted ones |
| Wine corks | Sometimes | Natural cork only, chopped |
No: keep these out
| Leftover | Compost it? | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Candle stubs and wax | No | Paraffin never breaks down |
| Plastic water bottles | No | Recycle instead |
| Chewing gum | No | It is synthetic rubber |
What about the turkey itself?
Meat, skin, gravy and greasy drippings are a problem in backyard bins: they smell, attract raccoons and rats, and can carry pathogens. If your town has curbside food scrap collection, those facilities run hot enough to handle meat and bones. Otherwise, put greasy leftovers in the trash and save the bones for a hot pile or bone broth first. See can you compost turkey bones for the details.
Tips for a big post-feast compost load
- Balance it. A holiday dump is almost all greens. Add about two buckets of shredded leaves or cardboard for every bucket of food scraps.
- Bury food in the center of the pile and cover it with browns, so pests can’t smell it.
- Chop big things like pumpkins, squash and corn cobs so they break down in weeks, not seasons.
- Drain liquids. Soups, sauces and brine can waterlog a pile and turn it sour.
- No room? Freeze scraps in a bag and add them over the next few weeks.
Not sure about something on your table? Ask us any item and get a straight answer, or browse the printable compost chart. Planning ahead? Here is the Christmas composting list.