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What You Can Compost in Your Backyard Bin

Deciding what to put in your backyard compost bin is an important part of the process. Maintaining the right balance between "brown" and "green" materials will help your compost pile break down faster and keep it from getting smelly. If you are going to compost food scraps you must use a rodent proof bin. For information about what to put in your green bin, check here.

DO Compost:

Browns

  • Fallen leaves
  • Chopped, woody prunings
  • Pine needles
  • Sawdust from untreated wood
  • Straw

Greens

  • Fruit & vegetable trimmings
  • Lawn clippings
  • Weeds without seed heads
  • Coffee grounds & filters
  • Citrus rinds
  • Tea bags
  • Herbivore manures: e.g. goats, horses, chickens

DON'T Compost:

Browns

  • Grains, beans or breads
  • Sawdust from plywood or treated wood

Greens

  • Meat, bones or fish
  • Pet feces: e.g. dog, cat or bird
  • Diseased plants (in cold piles)
  • Dairy products or grease
  • Large amounts of soiled paper, e.g. pizza boxes
  • Bio-plastics, even if they are labeled "compostable"
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