All Materials
Your complete guide to composting at home
Apple cores
Green (Nitrogen)35:1 C:N | 1-2 months
Apple peels
Green (Nitrogen)35:1 C:N | 1-2 months
Avocado pits
Brown (Carbon)Caution50:1 C:N | 6-12 months
Banana peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Bean shells/pods
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-2 months
Beet tops/greens
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Berries (spoiled)
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Bread (stale)
Green (Nitrogen)Caution30:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Broccoli stalks
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 1-2 months
Cabbage leaves
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Cantaloupe rind
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Carrot peels
Green (Nitrogen)27:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Celery scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Coconut shell
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N | 2-3 years
Coffee grounds
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Coffee filters
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Corn cobs
Brown (Carbon)56:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Corn husks
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N | 1-2 months
Cucumber peels
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Eggplant scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Eggshells
Brown (Carbon)0:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Fruit scraps (general)
Green (Nitrogen)35:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Ginger root
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 1-2 months
Grape stems
Brown (Carbon)45:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Green beans
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Herb stems
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Kiwi skin
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Lettuce
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Mango peels
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Melon rind
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Mushroom scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Oatmeal
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Pasta (cooked)
Green (Nitrogen)Caution25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Pepper scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Pineapple crown/core
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Potato peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Pumpkin scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Radish tops
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Rice (cooked)
Green (Nitrogen)Caution25:1 C:N | 1-3 weeks
Seaweed/kelp
Green (Nitrogen)19:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Spinach
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Squash scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Sweet potato peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Tea bags
Green (Nitrogen)Caution25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Tea leaves (loose)
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Tomato scraps
Green (Nitrogen)18:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Vegetable scraps (general)
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Watermelon rind
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Zucchini scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Stale cereal
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Flour (old)
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Moldy bread
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Tofu (spoiled)
Green (Nitrogen)Caution15:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Coconut water
Green (Nitrogen)0:1 C:N | Immediate
Corn silk
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Guava scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-3 weeks
Jackfruit scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Lychee shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Okra scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Papaya scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-3 weeks
Passion fruit shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Persimmon scraps
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Plantain peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Taro peels
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Yam peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Cassava peels
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Sake lees
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Spent grain (brewing)
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 1-3 weeks
Lemongrass scraps
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Turmeric scraps
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Cardamom pods
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Cinnamon sticks
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Vanilla pods (used)
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Date pits
Brown (Carbon)Caution50:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Cherry pits
Brown (Carbon)Caution50:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Peach pits
Brown (Carbon)Caution50:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Plum pits
Brown (Carbon)Caution50:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Olive pits
Brown (Carbon)Caution50:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Bamboo shoot waste
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Expired spices
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Pomegranate peels
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Turnip peels
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Artichoke leaves
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Asparagus ends
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Avocado flesh
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Bok choy scraps
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Cauliflower scraps
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Kale stems/leaves
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Leek tops
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Parsnip peels
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Fennel scraps
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Grass clippings
Green (Nitrogen)17:1 C:N | 1-4 weeks
Leaves (dry/brown)
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Leaves (fresh/green)
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Pine needles
Brown (Carbon)Caution80:1 C:N | 3-12 months
Hedge trimmings
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Flower cuttings
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Weeds (no seeds)
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Straw
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Hay
Brown (Carbon)25:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Twigs (small)
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N | 3-12 months
Algae
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Corn stalks
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Moss
Green (Nitrogen)30:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Sunflower stalks
Brown (Carbon)60:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Tomato plants (healthy)
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Pea vines
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Bean plants
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-3 weeks
Squash vines
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Deadheaded flowers
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Bamboo leaves
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Clover
Green (Nitrogen)16:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Lawn thatch
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Coconut coir
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Old potting soil
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | Already decomposed
Chicken manure
Green (Nitrogen)7:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Horse manure
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Cow manure
Green (Nitrogen)18:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Rabbit manure
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Goat manure
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Sheep manure
Green (Nitrogen)16:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Alfalfa
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Comfrey leaves
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Nettles
Green (Nitrogen)12:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Sugar cane bagasse
Brown (Carbon)50:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Banana leaves
Brown (Carbon)35:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Straw bedding (animal)
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Lavender trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Rosemary trimmings
Brown (Carbon)35:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Sage trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Mint trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)15:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Rose prunings
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Newspaper
Brown (Carbon)175:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Cardboard (corrugated)
Brown (Carbon)350:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Cereal boxes
Brown (Carbon)300:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Paper towels
Brown (Carbon)150:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Paper napkins
Brown (Carbon)150:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Egg cartons (cardboard)
Brown (Carbon)250:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Paper bags
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Tissue paper
Brown (Carbon)150:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Toilet paper rolls
Brown (Carbon)250:1 C:N | 2-3 months
Shredded paper
Brown (Carbon)175:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Pizza boxes
Brown (Carbon)250:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Wrapping paper (plain)
Brown (Carbon)Caution200:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Junk mail (non-glossy)
Brown (Carbon)Caution175:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Paper plates (uncoated)
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Wood chips
Brown (Carbon)400:1 C:N | 6-24 months
Sawdust (untreated)
Brown (Carbon)325:1 C:N | 4-12 months
Tree bark
Brown (Carbon)120:1 C:N | 6-24 months
Wood shavings
Brown (Carbon)300:1 C:N | 6-18 months
Nut shells
Brown (Carbon)35:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Peanut shells
Brown (Carbon)35:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Pistachio shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 1-3 years
Chestnut shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 6-12 months
Hazelnut shells
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 6-12 months
Cotton fabric (100%)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Wool scraps (100%)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Dryer lint
Brown (Carbon)Caution100:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Human hair
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N | 1-2 years
Pet fur
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N | 1-2 years
Nail clippings
Green (Nitrogen)10:1 C:N | 1-2 years
Cork (natural)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 6-24 months
Matches (wooden)
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N | 1-2 months
Toothpicks
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Cotton swabs (paper stem)
Brown (Carbon)Caution150:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Cotton balls
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Bamboo chopsticks
Brown (Carbon)80:1 C:N | 3-12 months
Burlap/jute fabric
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Pencil shavings
Brown (Carbon)200:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Feathers
Green (Nitrogen)5:1 C:N | 3-12 months
Natural rope
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Houseplant trimmings
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Dried flowers
Brown (Carbon)40:1 C:N | 1-3 months
Linen fabric (100%)
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Aquarium water
Green (Nitrogen)0:1 C:N | Immediate
Wine corks
Brown (Carbon)100:1 C:N | 6-24 months
Meat (raw)
Neither0:1 C:N |
Meat (cooked)
Neither0:1 C:N |
Dairy products
Neither0:1 C:N |
Butter/margarine
Neither0:1 C:N |
Cooking oil
Neither0:1 C:N |
Grease/lard
Neither0:1 C:N |
Dog waste
Neither0:1 C:N |
Cat litter/waste
Neither0:1 C:N |
Treated/painted wood
Neither0:1 C:N |
Plywood/particle board
Neither0:1 C:N |
Charcoal briquettes
Neither0:1 C:N |
Coal ash
Neither0:1 C:N |
Glossy paper
Neither0:1 C:N |
Plastic
Neither0:1 C:N |
Styrofoam
Neither0:1 C:N |
Metal
Neither0:1 C:N |
Glass
Neither0:1 C:N |
Synthetic fabric
Neither0:1 C:N |
Rubber (synthetic)
Neither0:1 C:N |
Cigarette butts
Neither0:1 C:N |
Herbicide-treated plants
Neither0:1 C:N |
Diseased plants
Neither0:1 C:N |
Invasive plant roots
Neither0:1 C:N |
Black walnut material
Neither0:1 C:N |
Diapers
Neither0:1 C:N |
Fruit stickers
Neither0:1 C:N |
Adhesive tape
Neither0:1 C:N |
Dryer sheets
Neither0:1 C:N |
Waxed cardboard
Neither0:1 C:N |
Tetra Paks
Neither0:1 C:N |
Human waste
Neither0:1 C:N |
Bones
Brown (Carbon)Caution0:1 C:N | 1-5 years
Blood meal
Green (Nitrogen)Caution3:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Bone meal
Brown (Carbon)Caution0:1 C:N | 1-6 months
Fireplace ash
Brown (Carbon)Caution0:1 C:N | Immediate
Biodegradable bags
Brown (Carbon)Caution200:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Compostable cutlery
Brown (Carbon)Caution200:1 C:N | 3-12 months
Pumpkin seeds
Green (Nitrogen)Caution25:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Fish scraps
Green (Nitrogen)Caution7:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Shellfish shells
Brown (Carbon)Caution0:1 C:N | 1-5 years
Shrimp shells
Green (Nitrogen)Caution10:1 C:N | 2-6 months
Bokashi bran
Brown (Carbon)30:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Bokashi pre-compost
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Nut butter (expired)
Green (Nitrogen)Caution15:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Pickle scraps
Green (Nitrogen)Caution20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Stale chips
Green (Nitrogen)Caution25:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Weeds (with seeds)
Green (Nitrogen)Caution20:1 C:N | 2-4 weeks
Wood ash
Brown (Carbon)Caution0:1 C:N | Immediate
Worm bedding (newspaper)
Brown (Carbon)175:1 C:N | 2-4 months
Worm bedding (cardboard)
Brown (Carbon)350:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Worm bedding (coir)
Brown (Carbon)75:1 C:N | 3-6 months
Fruit (worm-safe)
Green (Nitrogen)35:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Vegetables (worm-safe)
Green (Nitrogen)20:1 C:N | 1-2 weeks
Citrus for worms
Neither0:1 C:N |
Onions for worms
Neither0:1 C:N |
Hot peppers for worms
Neither0:1 C:N |
Salty foods for worms
Neither0:1 C:N |
Dairy for worms
Neither0:1 C:N |
Meat for worms
Neither0:1 C:N |
Oils for worms
Neither0:1 C:N |