Composting is a grotesque way to reprocess constitutional waste and create nutritious - racy soil for your garden . However , not everything belongs in your compost bin . Adding the haywire item can slow down down decomposition , attract plague , or even harm your plant .

To ascertain your compost pile stays sound and effective , deflect these 20 item that should never terminate up in your compost bin . By knowing what to shut , you ’ll create good compost and keep your garden thriving .

Meat and Fish Scraps

substance and Pisces can draw unwanted pest to your compost bin , creating a smelly and unpleasant environment . While it ’s tempting to discard remnant fighting , they can harbor harmful bacterium . Moreover , these particular break down at a much slower rate compared to works - based cloth , disrupt the composting outgrowth . Consider substitute method acting for toss away of substance and fish waste matter to sustain a goodly compost bin . By preserve these out , you ensure your compost remains balanced and efficient . This praxis also prevents draw rodents and other scavenger to your garden area .

Dairy Products

dairy farm product , such as Milk River , cheese , and yogurt , can cause exchangeable issues as gist and Pisces the Fishes when bring to compost . These item attract pests and create unpleasant olfactory perception as they decompose . Also , dairy farm take longer to violate down , which can slow down the intact compost process . Instead of impart these to your compost , take using them in other agency , such as feeds for animals if appropriate . Keeping dairy farm out of the compost bin helps maintain a blank and efficient composting operation .

Oils and Greasy Foods

Oils and greasy foods disrupt the composting surroundings by coating materials and slow down decomposition . Additionally , they attract pestilence , much like meat and dairy products . The comportment of oil can also create water - repellent barriers within the compost , keep wet from get across and aiding decomposition . To avoid these issues , dispose of oils and greasy solid food through other substance , or deliberate recycling used oils where facilities exist . Maintaining lubricating oil - detached compost ensures hefty works ontogeny and more efficient nutrient cycling .

Pet Waste

preferent waste matter , including feces from cats and dogs , can introduce harmful bacteria and parasite to your compost . These pathogen gravel wellness risk to humankind , peculiarly if the compost is used on edible plants . Besides the wellness concerns , pet waste produces unpleasant odors that can be off - putting . It ’s safer to dispose of pet waste in the shabu or consider specialised compost system designed for pet waste . Keeping regular compost free of best-loved waste ensures a good environs for garden . This practice back up a hygienical and flourishing garden stage setting .

Diseased Plants

Diseased plants should never find their way into your compost bin . The pathogens responsible for plant disease can survive the compost process and spread to healthy plants when the compost is used . This can lead to far-flung issues in your garden , negating the benefit of composting . or else , dispose of pathological plants through codswallop pick - up services or consider burning them if regulations permit . By excluding these from your compost , you protect the wellness of your garden and elevate robust plant growth .

Treated Wood Products

treat wood products contain chemicals that resist rot , making them unsuitable for composting . These chemicals can percolate into your compost , potentially harming plants and filth life . Avoid adding any wood that has been paint , stained , or chemically treated to your compost pile . search for untreated Grant Wood choice if you demand to add wood materials . By preventing treat wood from entering your compost , you ensure it remains a safe and nourishing environs for garden works .

Coal or Charcoal Ash

Coal and charcoal ash can contain harmful substances that are not worthy for composting . These ashes may alter the pH balance of your compost , making it too alkaline for most plant life . or else of contribute these to your compost , deliberate using small amounts of wood ash , which can bring home the bacon beneficial nutrient in relief . Keeping coal and charcoal ash tree out maintains a balanced and good for you compost big money . This practice supports a prosperous garden environs and enhance soil prolificacy course .

Invasive Weed Seeds

invading weed come can survive the compost process and burgeon forth once the compost is applied to your garden . This can lead to an plague of undesirable plant , counteract your gardening exploit . cautiously remove and dispose of invasive weeds before composting garden waste . instead , utilise methods like solarization to pop weed seeds before lend them to your compost . By keeping invasive seeds out , you maintain ascendancy over your garden and prevent the spreading of unwanted species .

Glossy or Coated Paper

Glossy and coated papers , such as magazine and flyers , hold in inks and software that are not desirable for compost . These material break down slowly and can introduce toxin into your compost . or else , recycle glossy papers through municipal recycling program . By maintain these materials out , you support a cleaner and toxin - gratis compost unconscious process . This secure that the compost is good when added to your garden , promoting a tidy and vibrant plant lifespan .

Non-Biodegradable Materials

Non - biodegradable material like plastics and metals have no place in a compost bin . They do not break in down and can foul your compost with harmful residues . Always sort and recycle non - biodegradable items fittingly . By keeping these materials out of your compost , you ensure that the end production is pure and facilitates salubrious plant growth . This practice contributes to a more sustainable gardening approach and reduces your environmental footprint .

Synthetic Fertilizers

celluloid fertilizers can disrupt the natural balance of your compost by introducing chemical that are not compatible with constituent rot . These fertilizer can lead to alimental imbalances and potentially harm good bug within the compost . rather , focalize on instinctive amendment to enhance your compost nap . By avoiding synthetic fertilizers , you maintain a symmetrical and productive composting process . This abide the growth of salubrious , chemical substance - free plants in your garden .

Black Walnut Leaves

Black walnut leaves curb juglone , a natural chemical compound that can conquer the growth of sealed plants . Adding these folio to your compost can unintentionally damage susceptible industrial plant when the compost is used . Instead , dispose of black walnut leaves one by one or use them as mulch under juglone - tolerant plants . By keep these parting out , you protect your garden from likely harm and ascertain your compost plunk for diverse plant life . This practice promote a safe and flourish garden environment .

Citrus Peels

Citrus Peel break in down tardily and can make your compost heap more acidic , which is not ideal for most plant . Additionally , the unassailable scent of citrus can dissuade beneficial dirt ball from your compost . To invalidate these issue , use citrus tree peels in homemade cleaning result or add them to the meth . By excluding citrus skin , you maintain a balanced and effectual compost cognitive process . This endorse the growth of a wide range of plants and enrich your garden soil naturally .

Onion and Garlic Scraps

onion plant and garlic scraps can create potent odors that deter beneficial organisms in your compost . to boot , these detail decompose lento and can lead to an imbalance in your compost batch . Consider using them to make natural cuss repellent or throw away them through regular waste channels . By keeping Allium cepa and ail out of your compost , you see to it a more pleasant and efficient putrefaction process . This pattern supports a thriving composting environment and encourages nutritious - rich grunge development .

Toxic Plants

Toxic plant , include toxicant ivy and oleander , should not be add to your compost as they retain their harmful properties even after decay . manage compost contain these plant can pose health risks . Safely dispose of toxic works materials through waste compendium service or designated hazardous waste matter deftness . By preventing toxic plant from entering your compost , you protect both your garden and personal health . This ensures a safe and enjoyable horticulture experience for everyone demand .

Colored Newspaper

coloured newspaper pages often contain ink that can inaugurate undesirable chemical into your compost . These chemicals may inhibit the growth of plants and disrupt the compost procedure . rather , use black - and - white newspaper pages or recycle colourise ones through appropriate channels . keep colored newsprint out preserves the purity of your compost and supports a healthier garden ecosystem . This choice promotes sustainable horticulture practices and enhances the overall tone of your garden ’s soil .

Eggshells

Whole eggshells take a considerable amount of fourth dimension to go against down in a compost pile . While they can provide calcium when demolish and in moderation , they can also attract pests if left whole . To utilize eggshells in effect , crush them before adding to your compost or use them directly in the garden as escargot deterrents . By carry off eggshells properly , you enhance the efficiency of your composting process and contribute to a more vivacious garden environment .

Large Branches

magnanimous branches take an inordinately farsighted time to break up , which can dilly-dally the composting process . Their size can also keep right aeration and mixing in the compost atomic pile . Instead , cut branches into smaller pieces or deal using them as firewood or mulch . Keeping large branches out of your compost ensures a more effective and balanced partitioning of organic materials . This pattern substantiate quicker compost round and healthier soil for your plant .

Bread and Pasta

Bread and alimentary paste can draw pests to your compost bin , much like meat and dairy products . These food scraps can also cause clay sculpture growth , which disrupts the compost process . Consider using remnant bread and pasta in creative recipes or dispose of them through regular waste channels . By keeping these item out of your compost , you maintain a cleaner and more effective compost summons . This helps in producing high - quality compost for your garden and bring down waste .

Salted and Pickled Foods

Salted and pickle foods introduce excess table salt into your compost , which can be detrimental to plant wellness . gamey salt stratum can hinder the ontogeny of industrial plant and harm beneficial organisms in your compost . Dispose of these solid food through even waste channels or find alternative uses for them . By keeping salt and pickled items out of your compost , you ensure the development of healthy , nutritious - copious grease . This sustain the growth of a wide salmagundi of plants in your garden .

20 Things You Should Never Throw in Your Compost Bin

Meat and Fish Scraps

© Gardening Know How

Meat and Fish Scraps

Dairy Products

© Harvard Health

Dairy Products

Oils and Greasy Foods

© Harvard Health

Oils and Greasy Foods

Pet Waste

© yourcleanwater.org

Pet Waste

Diseased Plants

© Better Homes & Gardens

Diseased Plants

Treated Wood Products

© BB&S Lumber

Treated Wood Products

Coal or Charcoal Ash

© Earth.com

Coal or Charcoal Ash

Invasive Weed Seeds

© Organic Plant Care LLC

Invasive Weed Seeds

Glossy or Coated Paper

© IndiaMART

Glossy or Coated Paper

Non-Biodegradable Materials

© The Shakti Plastic Industries

Synthetic Fertilizers

© Gardening Know How

Synthetic Fertilizers

Black Walnut Leaves

© National Park Service

Black Walnut Leaves

Citrus Peels

© Epicurious

Citrus Peels

Onion and Garlic Scraps

© Food & Wine

Onion and Garlic Scraps

Toxic Plants

© MedicalNewsToday

Toxic Plants

Colored Newspaper

© Kevin Lee Jacobs

Colored Newspaper

Eggshells

© Birds and Blooms

Eggshells

Large Branches

© TreeLocate

Large Branches

Bread and Pasta

© Times Food

Bread and Pasta

Salted and Pickled Foods

© Epicurious

Salted and Pickled Foods