Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste, enrich your lawn and contribute to a healthier environment, but not everything should to go in your compost pile. Adding the wrong items can disrupt the process and attract pests, so before you toss that banana peel or leftover pizza crust into your compost bin, make sure you do it right.

What You Should Add to Your Compost Pile

Composting the right materials creates rich, healthy soil while reducing the waste that ends up in landfills. Here are the best items to add to your pile.

Fruit and Vegetables

Banana peels, apple cores, carrot tops — these are all compostable! Just be sure to chop them up into smaller pieces to help them break down faster. Avoid adding too many citrus peels, as they can make the pile too acidic.

Coffee Grounds and Tea Bags

Both coffee grounds and used tea bags — minus the staples — are excellent additions to your compost heap. Add some liquid coffee to kill slugs, too, keeping your soil healthy and plants intact.

Eggshells

Eggshells are rich in calcium, which promotes plant growth. Crush them up before adding them to your compost heap to help them break down more easily.

Grass Clippings

Be cautious not to add too much grass at once, as it can cling together and become slimy. Mix the clippings with dry leaves or straw to keep the balance in check.

Leaves and Yard Waste

Your yard’s autumn clean up doesn’t have to go to waste — turn those fallen leaves into something that benefits your lawn. Dry leaves, small twigs and other yard waste break down slowly, providing structure to the compost. Just be sure to shred large leaves to avoid forming a thick layer that prevents airflow.

Shredded Paper and Cardboard

Think of all the junk mail you’ve been tossing — why not give it a second life in your compost heap? Be wary of coated or dyed paper, as the former might have plastic that won’t decompose and the latter’s dyes might not be safe if you plan to use the compost on produce. Stick to the basics for the best results.

What You Shouldn’t Add to Your Compost Pile

While it’s easy to think anything organic can go into your compost, certain items can create problems. Here’s a list of things to avoid.

Meat

You should never add meat to your compost pile. It decomposes slowly and can attract pests like rodents or flies, which love the smell of rotting meat. While it might seem like a natural waste to compost, it creates more problems than benefits for your yard.

However, you can compost seafood shells. Plus, they make a flavorful fish stock. Simply boil the shells for 10 minutes, strain them and add them to your pile.

Dairy

Dairy products like cheese, milk and butter also belong in the trash, not the compost. They break down slowly and can create a foul odor as they rot, not to mention attracting unwanted visitors. Let your compost stay fresh and pest-free by keeping dairy out of it.

Oils

Oils — whether vegetable, olive or animal fat — don’t decompose well and can form a greasy layer that smothers the microbes that break down organic matter.

Pet Waste

While it may seem like a good way to recycle, waste from animals should never go near your compost. It can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can contaminate the soil and be dangerous to plants and humans.

Diseased Plants

If you’ve had a plant with a pest or disease issue, don’t toss it into your compost bin. The heat generated during composting may not be enough to kill the pathogens, which could spread to your garden. Always dispose of infected plants in the trash or through your local yard waste program.

Weeds With Seeds

Weeds are notorious for being hard to get rid of, and adding them to your compost can make the problem worse. Those with seeds or roots might survive the composting process and come back to haunt your yard. Stick to weed-free yard waste to keep your compost clean.

Synthetic Materials

Avoid adding anything that isn’t natural to your compost, such as plastics, rubber or treated wood. These materials won’t break down and can create long-term pollution. Always stick to biodegradable materials for the best results.

Processed Foods

Left over processed foods like chips or cookies might seem like an easy compost addition, but they often contain oils and preservatives that can disrupt the process. Stick with whole, unprocessed scraps to keep things running smoothly.

A Few Extra Tips and Tricks

Creating great compost isn’t just about knowing what to add and avoid — it’s about maintaining balance in your pile. Here are some helpful tips to ensure your compost thrives.

Balance is Key

A healthy compost pile needs a mix of greens — high in nitrogen — and browns — high in carbon. Too much of either can cause odors or slow decomposition.

Aim for a two or three to one ratio of browns to greens. Achieving the right balance will speed up the process, leaving you with rich compost ready for your garden.

Keep it Aerated

Turning your compost pile every few weeks allows oxygen to circulate, speeding up decomposition. If you don’t have time for frequent turning, you can always mix in a few layers of straw or leaves to keep things airy. A well-aerated pile helps everything break down faster.

Moisture Matters

Your compost pile should be moist, but not soggy. If it’s too dry, the materials will break down slowly. If it’s too wet, it may become smelly. Aim for the consistency of a damp sponge.

Your Key to a Thriving Yard

Composting is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to contribute to a sustainable future while enriching your backyard. By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be on your way to creating rich, nutrient-dense fertilizer that’ll boost your garden’s health and reduce waste.