--- title: What Can You Compost? The Definitive Yes/No List description: Clear, science-backed guide to what you can and can't compost at home. Covers kitchen scraps, yard waste, bread, citrus, meat, dairy, and more with C:N ratios and decomposition timelines. image: https://growperma.com/hubfs/blog/images/gp0009-hero-compost-kitchen-scraps-20260403-080110.webp --- [Skip to content](https://growperma.com/blog/what-can-you-compost-the-definitive-yes-no-list#main-content) [![GrowPerma Logo](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/icon-512.png?width=40&height=40&name=icon-512.png)](https://growperma.com/) - [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog) - [About](https://growperma.com/about) [Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com/newsletter) - [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog) - [About](https://growperma.com/about) [Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com/newsletter) ![Colorful kitchen counter with fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds ready for composting in a wooden collection bin](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp0009-hero-compost-kitchen-scraps-20260403-080110.webp?width=1200&height=520&name=gp0009-hero-compost-kitchen-scraps-20260403-080110.webp) In This Article Table of Contents ![Peter Vogel](https://growperma.com/hubfs/Peter%20Vogel%20Portait.png) Peter Vogel Peter Vogel is the founder of GrowPerma, bringing together evidence-based gardening advice with permaculture principles. When he's not writing about companion ... [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting) April 3, 2026 # What Can You Compost? The Definitive Yes/No List ## What Can You Compost — And What Should Stay Out of the Bin? You're standing at the kitchen counter with a handful of onion skins, a stale bread heel, and some citrus peels — and you're not sure which ones belong [in the compost bin](https://growperma.com/blog/compost-bin-vs-tumbler-vs-pile-best-method-for-you). You're not alone. According to a [Penn State University survey](https://extension.psu.edu/home-composting-a-guide-for-home-gardeners), **42% of Americans say uncertainty about what can and cannot be composted** is a major barrier to getting started. Meanwhile, the [EPA reports that food waste makes up 24% of all landfill material](https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data) — the single largest category — yet only about 5% of it gets composted. [chicken manure](https://growperma.com/blog/chicken-manure-composting-hot-stuff-for-your-garden) [balancing browns and greens](https://growperma.com/blog/cn-ratio-explained-perfect-your-compost-mix) [composting dryer lint](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-dryer-lint-whats-safe-whats-not) [let larvae handle meat and dairy scraps](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-with-black-soldier-fly-larvae) [how elemental sulfur acidifies soil](https://growperma.com/blog/sulfur-for-gardens-when-and-how-to-use-it) [whether dog waste is safe to compost](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-dog-waste-is-it-safe-for-gardens) [using compost to fix clay soil](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-for-clay-soil-break-up-heavy-ground) [compost odor problems](https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-fix-smelly-compost-quick-troubleshooting) [burying scraps in a compost pit](https://growperma.com/blog/pit-composting-ancient-method-for-modern-gardens) [composting human waste](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-human-waste-humanure-basics) [which tea bags actually break down](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-tea-bags-which-ones-break-down) [browns and greens in the right proportion](https://growperma.com/blog/compost-pile-layers-what-actually-matters) The good news? **Most of what you throw away from your kitchen and yard is compostable.** The key is knowing which items break down safely in a home bin and which ones create problems like odor, pests, or lingering toxins. This guide gives you a clear, science-backed yes/no list so you can compost with confidence — no second-guessing at the bin. 24% Of All Landfill Waste Is food — EPA, 2024 ~5% Food Waste Composted Nationally — EPA 25:1 Ideal C:N Ratio Cornell Extension 58% Landfill Methane From food waste — USDA **What you'll learn in this guide:** - A complete yes/no list of kitchen scraps, yard waste, and household items you can compost - The truth about controversial items like bread, citrus, meat, and coffee grounds - Why the green-to-brown ratio matters and how to get it right without overthinking - Items that should *never* go in a home bin — and safer alternatives Key Takeaway If it once grew, it can probably be composted — with a few important exceptions around meat, dairy, pet waste, and treated materials. The key to a healthy bin is balancing **nitrogen-rich "greens"** (food scraps, grass) with **carbon-rich "browns"** (leaves, cardboard) at roughly a 25-30:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. ![Hands adding fresh vegetable scraps and coffee grounds into an open wooden compost bin in a sunny backyard garden with raised beds](https://growperma.com/hubfs/blog/images/gp0009-body1-adding-scraps-to-bin-20260403-080123.webp) ## What Can You Compost? The Complete Yes List Everything that goes into your [compost bin falls](https://growperma.com/blog/best-compost-bin-picks-for-every-yard) into two categories: **greens** (nitrogen-rich, usually moist) and **browns** (carbon-rich, usually dry). You need both. Think of greens as the fuel that heats up the pile, and browns as the structure that keeps air flowing. The [Cornell Composting program](https://compost.css.cornell.edu/chemistry.html) recommends aiming for a **25-30:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio by weight** — which in practice means layering about 4 inches (10 cm) of browns for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of greens. ![Close-up of common compostable kitchen items including cracked eggshells coffee grounds banana peel and citrus rinds on a wooden cutting board](https://growperma.com/hubfs/blog/images/gp0009-float-left-kitchen-compostables-20260403-080145.webp) **Green materials (nitrogen-rich) you can compost:** fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and paper filters, tea bags (remove staples), fresh grass clippings in thin layers, plant trimmings from healthy plants, eggshells (crush them for faster breakdown), and fresh [chicken](https://growperma.com/blog/chickens-in-permaculture-pest-control-composting-and-eggs) or rabbit droppings. These materials typically have a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio between 10:1 and 30:1, which means they decompose quickly and generate heat in the pile. **Brown materials (carbon-rich) you can compost:** dry leaves (shred them to speed things up 2-3x according to [UC Davis research](https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/COMPOST/compost_makingandusingcompost.pdf)), shredded [cardboard and paper](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-paper-and-cardboard-brown-material-basics) bags, newspaper printed with soy-based ink, straw (not hay — hay has weed seeds), untreated wood chips and sawdust, corn stalks, and natural-fiber clothing torn into strips. Browns decompose more slowly but provide the carbon backbone microbes need for energy. | Material | Type | C:N Ratio | Breaks Down In | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Fruit/veggie scraps | Green | 20-30:1 | 2-5 weeks | | Coffee grounds | Green | 20:1 | 3-5 weeks | | Grass clippings | Green | 15-25:1 | 2-4 weeks | | Eggshells (crushed) | Mineral | — | 3-6 months | | Dry leaves (shredded) | Brown | 50-80:1 | 2-3 months | | Cardboard (shredded) | Brown | 350-500:1 | 2-4 months | | Straw | Brown | 80:1 | 3-6 months | | Wood chips | Brown | 200-500:1 | 6-12 months | Sources: Why This Works: Closing the Loop In [permaculture design](https://growperma.com/blog/what-is-permaculture-a-practical-guide-for-gardeners/), every output becomes an input. When you compost kitchen scraps back into garden [using compost to fill raised beds](https://growperma.com/blog/how-to-fill-a-raised-garden-bed) soil, you're practicing one of permaculture's core principles — "produce no waste." Your banana peel feeds soil microbes that feed your next crop of tomatoes. It's the same nutrient cycle that forests run on, scaled down to your backyard bin. ![Illustrated infographic comparing green nitrogen-rich compost materials like fruit scraps and grass with brown carbon-rich materials like dry leaves and cardboard](https://growperma.com/hubfs/blog/images/gp0009-infographic-greens-browns-chart-20260403-080124.webp) ## Can You Compost Bread, Citrus, and Other Controversial Items? Some of the most commonly searched composting questions are about items that fall into a gray area. Here's what the research actually says: **Bread and pasta:** Yes, you can compost them. They break down in 2-4 weeks and have a C:N ratio around 15:1. The concern about attracting pests is valid but manageable — bury bread 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep in the center of the pile and cover with brown material. The [University of Illinois Extension](https://extension.illinois.edu/composting) confirms that buried bread does not increase pest problems compared to fruit scraps. **Citrus peels:** Absolutely compostable. The persistent myth that citrus acidity kills beneficial microbes has been debunked. [UC Davis research](https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/COMPOST/compost_makingandusingcompost.pdf) found that compost piles with high citrus content reached target temperatures and decomposed on identical timelines to control piles. pH normalized by week six. Use citrus freely — the limonene in the peels even has mild antifungal properties. **Onions and garlic:** Compost them without worry. They decompose in 3-4 weeks, and the myth that they repel earthworms is not supported by research. [Oregon State University Extension](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/compost-backyard) found no significant effect on worm populations when onions were used in normal household quantities. **Cooked rice:** Yes, in small quantities. Mix it thoroughly into the interior of the pile and balance with browns to avoid attracting rodents. **Dryer lint:** It depends. Lint from loads of 100% cotton or wool clothing composts in 2-4 weeks. Lint from synthetic blends (polyester, acrylic) does not break down and can persist in [your soil](https://growperma.com/blog/soil-health-guide-how-to-build-living-soil-for-a-thriving-garden/) for over five years, according to [Oregon State University](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9480-three-methods-no-turn-cold-composting). Need the gear for this? Bins and tumblers picked by yard size, with the honest trade-offs for each. [See the compost bin picks](https://growperma.com/blog/best-compost-bin-picks-for-every-yard) ## What Should You Never Put in a Home Compost Bin? ![Illustrated warning scene showing items that should not go in a home compost bin including raw meat dairy products and treated wood](https://growperma.com/hubfs/blog/images/gp0009-float-right-do-not-compost-20260403-080138.webp) Not everything organic belongs in your backyard bin. The main reason comes down to temperature: **home compost piles average 104-122°F (40-50°C)**, which is well below the **131°F (55°C) sustained for 3+ days** needed to destroy dangerous pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. Commercial composting facilities reach 140-160°F (60-71°C) — your backyard bin simply can't match that, according to data from the [Rodale Institute](https://rodaleinstitute.org/science/articles/turning-compost-by-temperature/). **Meat, fish, and bones:** These decompose through putrefaction (anaerobic breakdown), producing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia — the rotten-egg smell that attracts raccoons, rats, and flies within hours. Bones take 3+ years to break down. If you want to compost meat, consider a **bokashi system** (anaerobic fermentation) as an alternative. **Dairy products:** Cheese, butter, and milk fats coat organic matter with a hydrophobic barrier that blocks oxygen, according to [Penn State Extension](https://extension.psu.edu/home-composting-a-guide-for-home-gardeners). This forces the pile into anaerobic conditions, producing sulfur odors and attracting pests. **Dog and cat waste:** This is the most important "never" on the list. Cat feces can carry *Toxoplasma gondii* — a parasite whose oocysts require 131°F (55°C) for **30+ consecutive days** to destroy, according to the [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/causes/index.html). No home pile sustains that. Dog waste carries similar pathogen risks. Use municipal waste disposal for pet waste. Common Mistake: Composting Diseased Plants Tomato blight, powdery mildew, and other plant diseases can survive home composting temperatures. Spores from *Phytophthora* species need 158°F (70°C) for 3+ days to be destroyed — far above what backyard bins reach. Bag diseased plant material and dispose of it through municipal waste. Adding it to your compost risks spreading the disease to next season's garden. **Other items to keep out:** treated or painted wood (leaches arsenic and chromium), glossy magazines (contain plasticized inks and clay coatings), coal or charcoal ash (contains sulfur oxides harmful to plants), and any material labeled as pressure-treated lumber. ![Gardener spreading rich dark finished compost from a wheelbarrow onto a vegetable garden bed with young seedlings in morning light](https://growperma.com/hubfs/blog/images/gp0009-body2-spreading-finished-compost-20260403-080117.webp) ## How Do You Know Your Compost Is Working? Finished compost takes 3-6 months in an actively managed bin, or 6-12 months if you take a hands-off approach. You'll know it's ready when the material is dark brown (not black), crumbly, smells like fresh earth, and you can no longer identify the original ingredients — except maybe a few stubborn eggshell fragments. If your pile smells like ammonia, you have too much nitrogen — add shredded cardboard or dry leaves. If it's barely decomposing after several months and stays cool to the touch, you need more nitrogen — add grass clippings, coffee grounds, or [fresh kitchen scraps](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-for-beginners-the-complete-guide/). The [Rodale Institute](https://rodaleinstitute.org/blog/backyard-composting-basics-a-cheatsheet/) recommends a simple squeeze test: grab a handful and squeeze — it should feel like a wrung-out sponge, releasing just 2-3 drops of moisture. Key Takeaway When in doubt, leave it out — but don't be overly cautious. Bread, citrus, onions, rice, and coffee grounds are all safe to compost at home. The real "never" list is short: meat, dairy, pet waste, diseased plants, and chemically treated materials. Everything else? Toss it in, balance your greens and browns, and let the microbes do their work. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can you compost bread in a backyard bin? Yes. Bread breaks down in 2-4 weeks and has a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of about 15:1, making it a nitrogen-rich "green" material. The key is to bury it 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep in the center of the pile and cover it with brown material like shredded leaves or cardboard. This prevents pest attraction. Avoid adding large quantities at once — a few slices at a time is ideal. If you're [new to composting](https://growperma.com/blog/composting-for-beginners-the-complete-guide/), start with small amounts until you're comfortable managing your bin's moisture and temperature. ### like orange and lemon rinds? Absolutely. The common belief that citrus kills beneficial compost organisms is a myth. UC Davis research showed that compost piles heavy with citrus peels decomposed on the same timeline as citrus-free piles, with pH normalizing within six weeks. Citrus peels take 3-6 months to fully break down due to their tough outer skin. Chop them into smaller pieces to speed decomposition. The natural limonene in citrus peels actually has mild antifungal properties that can help suppress unwanted mold growth in your pile. ### Is it safe to compost meat and dairy at home? No — not in a standard home compost bin. Home piles rarely exceed 122°F (50°C), while destroying pathogens like Salmonella requires sustained temperatures of 131°F (55°C) for at least three consecutive days. Meat and dairy also decompose anaerobically, producing strong odors that attract rodents and raccoons. If you want to process meat scraps, consider a bokashi fermentation system, which uses anaerobic fermentation at room temperature before transferring the material to soil. ### Can you compost eggshells? Yes, but crush them first. Whole eggshells can take over a year to break down because they're primarily calcium carbonate — an inorganic mineral. Crushed shells decompose in 3-6 months and add valuable calcium to your finished compost, which benefits tomatoes, peppers, and other calcium-loving crops. Rinse shells briefly to remove residual egg white, then crush by hand or run through a blender for the fastest results. ### What can you do with food scraps you can't compost at home? For meat, dairy, bones, and other items unsuitable for home bins, check whether your municipality offers curbside organics collection — commercial facilities reach temperatures high enough to safely process these materials. Bokashi fermentation is another option that handles meat and dairy in a sealed bucket using beneficial microbes. Some communities also have community composting drop-off sites. As a last resort, freezing scraps until collection day reduces odor in your kitchen waste bin. 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[Join the Weekly Dig](https://growperma.com/newsletter) [Browse All Guides →](https://growperma.com/blog) ## Resources - [Cornell Composting — Compost Chemistry and C:N Ratios](https://compost.css.cornell.edu/chemistry.html) - [UC Davis — Making and Using Compost](https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/COMPOST/compost_makingandusingcompost.pdf) - [Penn State Extension — Home Composting: A Guide for Home Gardeners](https://extension.psu.edu/home-composting-a-guide-for-home-gardeners) - [EPA — Food: Material-Specific Data (Food Waste Statistics)](https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data) - [Rodale Institute — Turning Compost by Temperature](https://rodaleinstitute.org/science/articles/turning-compost-by-temperature/) - [Oregon State Extension — Compost in the Backyard](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/compost-backyard) - [University of Minnesota Extension — Composting in Home Gardens](https://extension.umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/composting-home-gardens) - [CDC — Toxoplasmosis: Causes and How It Spreads](https://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/causes/index.html) **Tags:** [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting) ## Related Articles ![Colored-pencil illustration of three backyard compost bins: a mesh ring, an enclosed bin, and a tumbler](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-compost-bin-hero.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-compost-bin-hero.webp) 15 Sep [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting) #### Best Outdoor Compost Bin: Picks by Yard Size Peter Vogel ![Water from a watering can beading and running off cracked dry garden soil instead of soaking in, beside a wilting pepper plant](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0549-hero-water-runoff-20260908-070106.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0549-hero-water-runoff-20260908-070106.webp) 8 Sep [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting) #### Hydrophobic Soil: Why Water Runs Off and How to Fix It Peter Vogel ![Late winter homestead pasture at dawn with frost-heaved ground, scattered clover seed and a broadcast spreader ready for frost seeding](https://growperma.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/images/gp-0546-hero-frost-seeding-clover-20260908-061142.webp?width=400&height=220&name=gp-0546-hero-frost-seeding-clover-20260908-061142.webp) 8 Sep [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting) #### Frost Seeding Clover: Let Winter Plant It for You Peter Vogel ![GrowPerma](https://growperma.com/hubfs/icon-512.png) Gardens That Work Like Forests — the smart-friend guide to permaculture for normal backyards. #### Explore - [Blog](https://growperma.com/blog) - [Companion Planting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/companion-planting) - [Soil & Composting](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/soil-composting) - [Food Forests](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/food-forest) - [Permaculture](https://growperma.com/blog/tag/permaculture-foundations) #### Resources - [About](https://growperma.com/about) - [All Articles](https://growperma.com/blog) #### Legal - [Imprint](https://growperma.com/imprint) - [Privacy Policy](https://growperma.com/privacy-policy) - [Affiliate Disclosure](https://growperma.com/affiliate-disclosure) - Cookie Settings As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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