Surprising Things You Didn’t Know Were COMPOSTABLE!

When most people think of composting, they picture banana peels, apple cores, and yard waste. But if you’re trying to reduce your waste footprint, there’s a whole world of unexpected compostables that often end up in the trash unnecessarily.

Whether you’re composting at home or using a commercial service, here are some random (& weirdly satisfying) things you probably didn’t know were compostable:

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 Kitchen Randoms

1. Tea Bags: Yes, you can compost your tea bags—but beware! Some contain plastic mesh. Look for brands that use biodegradable materials.

2. Coffee Grounds & Filters: Both are compostable, and coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, making them a great “green” addition.

3. Nut Shells: Most are compost-safe just skip the black walnut shells, which can be toxic to some plants.

4. Corn Cobs: They take time to break down, but eventually they do. Crushing them speeds things up.

5. Citrus Peels: Add in moderation to avoid throwing off your compost’s pH.

6. Expired Spices: That decade-old cumin? Into the pile it goes. Great for avoiding food waste.

7. Stale Bread & Cereal: As long as there’s no mold (especially black mold), these can be composted too.

8. Wooden Dish Scrub Brushes: Yes! Even your dish scrub brushes are compostable (because they’re made out of 100% wood. So once you’ve used the life outta then, toss em in the green bin! 

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Bathroom & Personal Care

8. Toilet Paper Rolls: These are compostable & a great source of carbon (“brown” material).

9. Hair & Nail Clippings: As long as they’re not polished or chemically treated, toss ’em in.

10. Cotton Balls & Swabs: Only if they’re 100% cotton & have a paper stem (not plastic).

11. Used Tissues: Great for compost—just not if used to clean up chemicals.

12. Natural Loofahs: The scrubby plant kind (not plastic mesh) is compost-safe. As well as sisal sponge products like sisal soap socks & exfoliting gloves! 

Random Household Items

13. Paper Towels & Napkins: Only if they haven’t been used with synthetic cleaners or grease.

14. Cardboard Egg Cartons: Tear them up and add them to your bin—they’re great for airflow.

15. Dryer Lint: But only from natural-fiber clothes (cotton, wool, linen). Synthetic lint = microplastics.

16. Pencil Shavings: Wood + graphite = compostable goodness.

17. Shredded Paper: Stick to non-glossy, ink-light paper.

 Garden & Outdoor Extras

18. Dead Houseplants & Potting Soil: Even the soil can go in!

19. Old Potpourri: If it’s made from natural ingredients like dried flowers or herbs.

20. Wood Ash: From fireplaces or fire pits—use sparingly, as it can alter pH levels.

21. Sawdust: Only if it comes from untreated wood.

Got Pets?

22. Pet Hair: Collected from grooming brushes? Compost it!

23. Feathers: From pillows, crafts, or your backyard coop.

24. Fur from Brushes: Yes—even that tumbleweed from your shedding pet.

🌎 Bonus: For Industrial Compost Only

If you’re using a commercial composting service, you can sometimes include things like:

• Compostable phone cases (look for BPI-certified ones)
• Biodegradable glitter
• Compostable cups, plates & utensils (ONLY those labeled “certified compostable”)

I hope this blog is able to help you divert even more trash from going in your waste bin. SEPARATING TRASH IS COOL!