What Can I Compost?

Composting is a great way to return organic matter to the soil. Organic matter in the soil enhances plant growth by:

     - Energizing the plant growth of beneficial microorganisms

     - Loosening heavy clay soils to allow better root expansion

     - Correcting the capacity to hold water and nutrients

     - Adding extra nutrients to any type of soil

Improving your soil is the first step toward enhancing plant health. Healthy plants help clean air and beautify landscapes. Yard trimmings and kitchen scraps use up valuable space in landfills. These materials make up 20 to 30 percent of all household wastes.

HOW TO MAKE A COMPOST
Start with a layer of chopped leaves, unfertilized grass clippings and kitchen waste.  Crushed eggshells, old lettuce, fruit rinds, coffee grounds, or whatever else is available. Keep adding materials until you have a six-inch layer, then cover it with three to six inches of soil.

EVERYDAY ITEMS TO COMPOST TO REDUCE LANDFILLS
Brown Paper Bags                           Kleenex Tissues

Soy Milk                                         Paper Napkins

Potato Peelings                               Melted Ice Cream

Freezer Burned Vegetables              Stale Bread

Q-Tips                                            Unpopped Popcorn

Tea Bags and Grounds                     Stale Potato Chips

Old Spices/Herbs                            Old Pasta

Moldy Cheese                                 Paper Towels

Jell-O Gelatin                                  Old Beer

Vacuum Bag Contents                      Lint from Dryer

Pickles                                            Stale Breakfast Cereal

Macaroni and Cheese                       Ivory Soap Scraps

Peanut Butter Sandwiches               Cooked Rice

Seafood Shells                                Shredded Newspapers

Receipts and Envelopes                   Pencil Shavings

I CAN COMPOST WHAT ????
Dead Bees and Flies                        Feathers
Burned Oatmeal                              Elmer's Glue
Human/Pet Hair                              Old Leather Wallets
Wool Socks                                   Chocolate Cookies
Wine Gone Bad                              Post-It-Notes
Leather Watch Bands                      BBQ'd Fish Skin
Old Leather Gloves                         Outdated Yogurt

TOO WEIRD TO COMPOST...BUT YOU CAN
Fingernail and Toenail Clippings
Urine
Bat Guano/Bird Droppings/Guinea Pig Cage Cleanings
Dead Starfish
Dried Jellyfish

Hope this information helps YOU reduce
household waste and start composting today!!!