Cold Composting
How It Works
Passive. Add materials and wait. Lowest effort.
Compatible Materials
Apple cores
Green (Nitrogen)35:1 C:N
Apple peels
Green (Nitrogen)35:1 C:N
Banana peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Bean shells/pods
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Beet tops/greens
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Berries (spoiled)
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Broccoli stalks
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Cabbage leaves
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N
Cantaloupe rind
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Carrot peels
Green (Nitrogen)27:1 C:N
Celery scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Coffee grounds
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Coffee filters
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N
Corn husks
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N
Cucumber peels
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Eggplant scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Eggshells
Brown (Carbon)0:1 C:N
Fruit scraps (general)
Green (Nitrogen)35:1 C:N
Ginger root
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Grape stems
Brown (Carbon)45:1 C:N
Green beans
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Herb stems
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Kiwi skin
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Lettuce
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N
Mango peels
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Melon rind
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Mushroom scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Oatmeal
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Pepper scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Potato peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Pumpkin scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Radish tops
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N
Seaweed/kelp
Green (Nitrogen)19:1 C:N
Spinach
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N
Squash scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Sweet potato peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Tea bags
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Tea leaves (loose)
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Tomato scraps
Green (Nitrogen)18:1 C:N
Vegetable scraps (general)
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Watermelon rind
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Zucchini scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Stale cereal
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Flour (old)
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Coconut water
Green (Nitrogen)0:1 C:N
Corn silk
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Guava scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Jackfruit scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Lychee shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Okra scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Papaya scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Passion fruit shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Persimmon scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Plantain peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Taro peels
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Yam peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Cassava peels
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Sake lees
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Spent grain (brewing)
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Lemongrass scraps
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Turmeric scraps
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Cardamom pods
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Cinnamon sticks
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N
Vanilla pods (used)
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Bamboo shoot waste
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Expired spices
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Pomegranate peels
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Turnip peels
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Artichoke leaves
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Asparagus ends
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Avocado flesh
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Bok choy scraps
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N
Cauliflower scraps
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Kale stems/leaves
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Leek tops
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Parsnip peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Fennel scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Grass clippings
Green (Nitrogen)17:1 C:N
Leaves (dry/brown)
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N
Leaves (fresh/green)
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Pine needles
Brown (Carbon)80:1 C:N
Hedge trimmings
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Flower cuttings
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Weeds (no seeds)
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Straw
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N
Hay
Brown (Carbon)25:1 C:N
Twigs (small)
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N
Algae
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N
Moss
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N
Tomato plants (healthy)
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Pea vines
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Bean plants
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Squash vines
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Deadheaded flowers
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Bamboo leaves
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N
Clover
Green (Nitrogen)16:1 C:N
Lawn thatch
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N
Coconut coir
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N
Old potting soil
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Chicken manure
Green (Nitrogen)7:1 C:N
Horse manure
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Cow manure
Green (Nitrogen)18:1 C:N
Rabbit manure
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Goat manure
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Sheep manure
Green (Nitrogen)16:1 C:N
Alfalfa
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N
Comfrey leaves
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N
Nettles
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N
Sugar cane bagasse
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N
Banana leaves
Brown (Carbon)35:1 C:N
Straw bedding (animal)
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N
Lavender trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N
Rosemary trimmings
Brown (Carbon)35:1 C:N
Sage trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Mint trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N
Rose prunings
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Newspaper
Brown (Carbon)175:1 C:N
Cardboard (corrugated)
Brown (Carbon)350:1 C:N
Cereal boxes
Brown (Carbon)300:1 C:N
Paper towels
Brown (Carbon)150:1 C:N
Paper napkins
Brown (Carbon)150:1 C:N
Egg cartons (cardboard)
Brown (Carbon)250:1 C:N
Paper bags
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N
Tissue paper
Brown (Carbon)150:1 C:N
Toilet paper rolls
Brown (Carbon)250:1 C:N
Shredded paper
Brown (Carbon)175:1 C:N
Pizza boxes
Brown (Carbon)250:1 C:N
Wrapping paper (plain)
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N
Junk mail (non-glossy)
Brown (Carbon)175:1 C:N
Paper plates (uncoated)
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N
Wood chips
Brown (Carbon)400:1 C:N
Sawdust (untreated)
Brown (Carbon)325:1 C:N
Tree bark
Brown (Carbon)120:1 C:N
Wood shavings
Brown (Carbon)300:1 C:N
Peanut shells
Brown (Carbon)35:1 C:N
Chestnut shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Hazelnut shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Cotton fabric (100%)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Wool scraps (100%)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Dryer lint
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Human hair
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N
Pet fur
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N
Nail clippings
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N
Cork (natural)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Matches (wooden)
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N
Toothpicks
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N
Cotton swabs (paper stem)
Brown (Carbon)150:1 C:N
Cotton balls
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Bamboo chopsticks
Brown (Carbon)80:1 C:N
Burlap/jute fabric
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Pencil shavings
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N
Feathers
Green (Nitrogen)5:1 C:N
Natural rope
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Houseplant trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Dried flowers
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N
Linen fabric (100%)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Aquarium water
Green (Nitrogen)0:1 C:N
Wine corks
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N
Bone meal
Brown (Carbon)0:1 C:N
Fireplace ash
Brown (Carbon)0:1 C:N
Bokashi pre-compost
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Pickle scraps
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N
Wood ash
Brown (Carbon)0:1 C:N
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cold Composting work?
Passive. Add materials and wait. Lowest effort.
How long?
24-52 weeks.
Temperature?
Ambient.
Compatible materials?
163 materials.
