What can I put in my benchtop compost caddy?

Composting is a fantastic way to reduce your household waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. If you’re using a benchtop compost caddy, it’s essential to know what can go in there to ensure your composting process is effective and efficient. Here’s a guide to help you get the most out of your composting efforts.

What things CAN go in my compost bin?

To answer this, we need to not only think about what organic household waste can be diverted from landfill, but also what makes good compost feedstock. Here’s some sure-fire inclusions:

Fruit and vegetable scraps

Fruit and vege scraps are ideal for composting. They break down easily and provide valuable nutrients. Throw in your apple cores, banana peels, carrot tops, potato peels, and lettuce leaves! Avoid adding citrus peels as they can disrupt the composting process and make your compost too acidic.

Coffee grounds and tea bags

Coffee grounds are a rich source of nitrogen and can help balance your compost. Used tea bags are also compostable, but make sure they don’t contain synthetic materials. If you use tea bags, check if they’re made from compostable materials. Some tea bags are made with plastic.

Eggshells

Eggshells add valuable calcium to your compost. Crush them before adding to your caddy to speed up the decomposition process. Rinse the eggshells before composting to reduce any potential odours.

Paper towels and napkins

Used paper towels and napkins that are free from grease and cleaning chemicals can be composted. They provide carbon to balance the nitrogen-rich scraps. If you’re home composting, shred paper products up before adding them to your compost to help them break down better.

Small amounts of bread and pasta

Small quantities of bread and pasta can be composted, but they should not make up a large portion of your compost. They can attract pests and create odours if overused. Tear bread into small pieces to help it decompose faster.

What should I AVOID putting in my compost caddy?

Meat, dairy, and oils

Avoid adding meat, dairy products, and oils to your benchtop compost caddy. These items can attract pests, create odours, and do not compost well in a home composting system.

Cooked food

Cooked foods, especially those with sauces or spices, can be problematic. They can create an imbalance in your compost and attract unwanted pests.

Pet waste

Cat and dog poop or any other pet waste can contain harmful pathogens and should never be added to your compost.

Diseased plants and weeds

Avoid adding diseased plants and weeds to your compost. They can spread diseases and weed seeds to your garden.

Non-compostable materials

Materials like plastic, glass, metal, and synthetic fibers should not be composted. They do not break down and can contaminate your compost.

Check with your local council

These are general guidelines but, if you’re sending your contributions off to be commercially composted, it always pays to check with your local council or the facility themselves to see if they have specific exclusions. If you’re home composting, by following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to creating rich, healthy compost that will benefit your garden and reduce your environmental impact.

Happy composting!