To say composting is en vogue would be an understatement. If you are not yet composting, the time to do so is now. The best part is you can compost many more items than you might assume. Below, we identify 10 unexpected items that are completely compostable.
Takeout Food Containers
Takeout food containers are typically tossed in the trash or recycling bin without a second thought. Instead of trashing these containers, it is better to add them to your new compost. As long as the container is made of paper, it will compost quite well. Furthermore, pizza boxes can also be composted. In fact, the grease from pizza will stain cardboard to the point that it proves difficult to recycle. As a result, it is better to compost the box rather than toss it in the recycling bin.
Dyer Lint
Keep a small bag or bucket by your dryer so you can collect the lint and transfer it to your compost. You read that right. Dryer lint really is compostable. If you have enough space for a bonfire, you can also use your dryer lint to help start a backyard fire.
Pet Fur
Collect your pet’s fur and put it in your compost. Though waste from dogs and cats will not prove compostable, some pet owners report rabbit, hamster and guinea pig droppings really are compostable.
Ice Cream Cartons
Ice cream cartons are compostable as they are made of paper. So don’t be so quick to recycle or throw out those ice cream cartons. Toss them in your compost and they will gradually break down on their own.
Nail Clippings and Hair
Just about everything you toss in the bathroom trash can be composted. This means your nail clippings, stray hairs and hair you cut on your own in a DIY manner can be put in the compost.
Paper Towels
Though few know it, traditional paper towels cannot be recycled. There is no reason to put used paper towels in the garbage can when they can be composted in your compost bin or pile. This way, if you still use paper towels with regularity as opposed to reusable alternatives, you won’t feel nearly as guilty. So go ahead and toss those used paper towels in the compost.
Q-Tips and Cotton Balls
Cotton balls and q-tips should go directly into your compost after use. As long as the q-tips have a wood or paper stem, they will prove compostable. However, q-tips containing plastic cannot be composted.
Coffee Filters and Grounds
Instead of throwing those coffee grounds from your morning brew in the trash, put them along with the filter used to brew your coffee in the compost pile. This approach will minimize your waste while boosting your goal of adding to your compost.
Wine Corks
Wine corks can be composted as the cork is biodegradable. Toss your wine corks directly into the compost and no one will see them in a trash, perfectly concealing your love of the so-called nectar of the Gods while simultaneously helping to preserve our sensitive planet.
Vacuum Bags and Dust
Your vacuum bags along with the dust inside them are compostable as long as they do not contain sizable pieces of material that cannot be composted. As an example, pieces of plastic within vacuum bags cannot be composted. Put the remainder of the remnants from the vacuum bag in your compost and they will gradually compost with the rest of the sundries placed in the pile.