Composting Basics
In 4 easy stages
Definition and Basic Principles:
Composting is the natural process of organic matter (such as food scraps, compostable food service products, and yard waste) breaking down into nutrient-rich material that can enrich soil and plants. This process occurs when materials decompose and transform into a dark, soil-like substance known as compost. Composting uses microorganisms, oxygen, and moisture to transform waste into something beneficial for the environment.
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Over 60% of municipal solid waste is compostable!
Composting diverts waste sent to landfills, reducing methane emissions. If everyone in the U.S. composted, it would be the equivalent of removing the greenhouse gas emissions from over 7 million cars.
Benefits of Composting
Saves Water
Composting diverts waste sent to landfills, reducing methane emissions. If everyone in the U.S. composted, it would be the equivalent of removing the greenhouse gas emissions from over 7 million cars.
Supports Plant Growth
Compost provides plants with nutrients that are essential for growth. It also introduces beneficial microbes to the soil, which help create a healthier environment for plants to thrive.
Earth & Budget Friendly
Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Improves Soil Structure
Adding compost to soil improves structure, reduces erosion, and nutrient loss.
Saves Water
Composting diverts waste sent to landfills, reducing methane emissions. If everyone in the U.S. composted, it would be the equivalent of removing the greenhouse gas emissions from over 7 million cars.
Supports Plant Growth
Compost provides plants with nutrients that are essential for growth. It also introduces beneficial microbes to the soil, which help create a healthier environment for plants to thrive.
Earth & Budget Friendly
Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Improves Soil Structure
Adding compost to soil improves structure, reduces erosion, and nutrient loss.
How to Get Started with Composting
How to Get Started with Composting
Select your experience
Home
Composting
Home Composting
(do it yourself at home)
Home
Composting
Home Composting
(do it yourself at home)
Industrial
Composting
Industrial Composting
(pick up & drop off programs)
Industrial
Composting
Industrial Composting
(pick up & drop off programs)
do it yourself at home
Choose Your Composting Style:
Decide between outdoor composting (such as a backyard pile) or indoor composting (like a kitchen bin). Indoor options are ideal for those with limited space.
Pick the Right Bin:
Select a bin that suits your space and composting style. For outdoor composting, look for a large, ventilated bin. For indoor composting, consider smaller, enclosed bins that help control odor.
Gather Your Materials:
Compost needs a mix of “greens” (like vegetable scraps) and “browns” (such as dried leaves or paper). This mix helps balance moisture and nutrients.
Start Adding Scraps:
Begin with small pieces of food scraps, and yard waste. Turn your compost every few weeks to keep it healthy, and help it break down faster.
Use Your Compost:
Once your compost looks dark, and crumbly, it’s ready to be added to your garden soil or potted plants!
Choose Your Composting Style:
Decide between outdoor composting (such as a backyard pile) or indoor composting (like a kitchen bin). Indoor options are ideal for those with limited space.
Pick the Right Bin:
Select a bin that suits your space and composting style. For outdoor composting, look for a large, ventilated bin. For indoor composting, consider smaller, enclosed bins that help control odor.
Gather Your Materials:
Compost needs a mix of “greens” (like vegetable scraps) and “browns” (such as dried leaves or paper). This mix helps balance moisture and nutrients.
Start Adding Scraps:
Begin with small pieces of food scraps, and yard waste. Turn your compost every few weeks to keep it healthy, and help it break down faster.
Use Your Compost:
Once your compost looks dark, and crumbly, it’s ready to be added to your garden soil or potted plants!
What can I compost?
Composting is simple when you know what materials to include and which ones to avoid. Here is a helpful guide to get you started.
Download your own printable copy below.
Download your own printable copy below.
Food Scraps
Fruits and vegetables, including peels
Pasta, beans, rice
Meat, fish and bones*
Dairy products*
Coffee grounds
and filters
and filters
Tea leaves and
plastic-free tea bags
plastic-free tea bags
Eggs and egg shells
Bakery items, cereal, crackers, chips, and other dry goods
Nuts and shells
Fruits and vegetables, including peels
Pasta, beans, rice
Meat, fish and bones*
Dairy products*
Coffee grounds
and filters
and filters
Tea leaves and
plastic-free tea bags
plastic-free tea bags
Eggs and egg shells
Bakery items, cereal, crackers, chips, and other dry goods
Nuts and shells
Fruits and vegetables, including peels
Pasta, beans, rice
Meat, fish and bones*
Dairy products*
Coffee grounds
and filters
and filters
Tea leaves and
plastic-free tea bags
plastic-free tea bags
Eggs and egg shells
Bakery items, cereal, crackers, chips, and other dry goods
Nuts and shells
*These items are generally not recommended for home composting. Oily foods should be avoided too.
Other Compostable Items
Certified compostable waste bags, kitchen storage bags, and produce bags*
Paper products, such as napkins, paper towels, and tissues*
Parchment and waxed paper*
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Cotton balls
and paper swabs
and paper swabs
Paper egg cartons
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Certified compostable items, such as packaging, plates, bowls, cups, utensils*
Pizza boxes from delivery
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Toothpicks, wooden chopsticks and popsicle sticks
(break into smaller pieces if home composting)
Houseplant trimmings and flowers
Pure wool, cotton, silk, linen and hemp
(cut into smaller pieces)
Tissue paper
(without foil, gold, or glitter)
Hair, nail clippings,
and animal fur
and animal fur
Paper products, such as napkins, paper towels, and tissues*
Certified compostable waste bags, kitchen storage bags, and produce bags*
Parchment and waxed paper*
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Paper egg cartons
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Pizza boxes from delivery
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Cotton balls
and paper swabs
and paper swabs
Certified compostable items, such as packaging, plates, bowls, cups, utensils*
Houseplant trimmings and flowers
Pure wool, cotton, silk, linen and hemp
(cut into smaller pieces)
Toothpicks, wooden chopsticks and popsicle sticks
(break into smaller pieces if home composting)
Tissue paper
(without foil, gold, or glitter)
Hair, nail clippings,
and animal fur
and animal fur
Certified compostable waste bags, kitchen storage bags, and produce bags*
Paper products, such as napkins, paper towels, and tissues*
Paper egg cartons
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Certified compostable items, such as packaging, plates, bowls, cups, utensils*
Pizza boxes from delivery
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Parchment and waxed paper*
(tear into smaller pieces if home composting)
Houseplant trimmings and flowers
Pure wool, cotton, silk, linen and hemp
(cut into smaller pieces)
Toothpicks, wooden chopsticks and popsicle sticks
(break into smaller pieces if home composting)
Tissue paper
(without foil, gold, or glitter)
Cotton balls
and paper swabs
and paper swabs
Hair, nail clippings,
and animal fur
and animal fur
*Some of these compostable items will be suitable for industrial and home, some only one or the other. For any certifiable items, look for the BPI and/or TUV logos to determine where they can be disposed of. For industrially compostable items, check with your local composting program or facility for specific guidelines on what’s accepted.
Yard Waste
Grass clippings*
Leaves*
Small branches and twigs*
Grass clippings*
Leaves*
Small branches and twigs*
Grass clippings*
Leaves*
Small branches and twigs*
*These items are perfect additions to your home compost pile. However, for industrial composting programs, some municipalities don't allow these in the organics bin, and require you to collect in separate, often brown craft paper bags.
Items to Avoid
Excess liquids
(they speed up the breakdown process and weaken compostable bags)
Plastics, glass, metal
Cardboard, paper, envelopes, shredded paper, etc.
(should be recycled instead)
Pet waste
Diseased or insect-infested plants
Diapers and sanitary products
Bandages
Dryer sheets, dryer lint
Styrofoam
Gum
Excess liquids
(they speed up the breakdown process and weaken compostable bags)
Plastics, glass, metal
Cardboard, paper, envelopes, shredded paper, etc.
(should be recycled instead)
Pet waste
Diseased or insect-infested plants
Diapers and sanitary products
Bandages
Dryer sheets, dryer lint
Styrofoam
Gum
Excess liquids
(they speed up the breakdown process and weaken compostable bags)
Plastics, glass, metal
Cardboard, paper, envelopes, shredded paper, etc.
(should be recycled instead)
Pet waste
Diseased or insect-infested plants
Diapers and sanitary products
Bandages
Dryer sheets, dryer lint
Styrofoam
Gum
Tips & Tricks,
Best Practices
& FAQs
Getting started with composting can be intimidating! But once you get the hang of it, it is a simple, purposeful, and satisfying process.
By following a few key strategies, you can maximize the quality of your compost, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your efforts are effective. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your methods, these tips will help you succeed.
Compostability Certification FAQs
Home Composting Tips & Tricks
Insulate your bin
Adjust for weather and temperature changes by insulating your bin with straw, leaves, or a tarp to keep it active longer. You may continue to add materials to your pile.
Turn Regularly
Compost breaks down faster in warm weather, so keep turning your pile regularly! Always cover your fresh scraps with a layer of browns to keep pests away.
Add Browns
Compost piles don’t need to smell bad. Odors often mean too much moisture or greens. Fix it by adding browns and turning the pile.
Mix it up
Mixing your pile every one to two weeks helps speed up decomposition.
Home Composting FAQs
Industrial Composting Tips & Tricks
Remove stickers
Produce stickers are usually made of plastic, which is not biodegradable and can contaminate compost with microplastics. These microplastics can then contaminate the soil where the compost is used. Stickers are small, thin, and pliable, so they can get through screens designed to catch them. Once in the compost, they are difficult to remove and end up in the finished compost.
Educate others
Get your household on-board! Educate others about the importance of composting, and print out The Matter Composting Quick Guide. Before you know it, composting will become a routine part of your household waste management.
Bin in the bathroom
Keep an organics collection bin in your bathroom. Then you can easily compost tissues (without makeup, medicine or other solutions), cotton swabs (non-plastic), nail clippings and hair.
Industrial Composting FAQs
Composting basics
Composting basics