What can I compost?
Most organic materials are compostable which means you can recycle the majority of your garden waste and food waste. It is important to get a balance of 'greens' and 'browns' in your compost to ensure it doesn't get too wet.
Greens are nitrogen rich items, while browns are carbon rich. Examples of both are found below.
| 'Greens' (nitrogen-rich ingredients) | 'Browns' (carbon-rich ingredients) |
|---|---|
| Grass cuttings | Cardboard eg cereal packets, toilet roll tubes and egg boxes |
| Young weeds | Waste paper and junk mail |
| Nettles (not roots) | Paper towels & bags |
| Comfrey leaves | Bedding (hay, straw, shredded paper, wood shavings) from vegetarian pets eg rabbits and guinea pigs |
| Urine (ideally diluted 20:1) | Tough hedge clippings |
| Uncooked fruit and vegetable peelings | Woody prunings |
| Tea leaves and coffee grounds | Old bedding plants |
| Soft green prunings | Straw |
| Animal manure from herbivores eg cows and horses | |
| Poultry manure |
Garden Organic's guide explains the difference between greens and browns and also what you can and cannot compost.
Last reviewed: