Composting Materials

Composting is the biological process through which organic materials are decomposed into a nutrient rich soil conditioner. It occurs naturally and is a way of replenishing soil and recycling energy. In addition to increasing soil fertility, composting helps address problems with food waste because almost any plant-based food can be composted when it is no longer edible.

Two categories of household materials can be composted: wet/green materials and dry/brown materials:

 

Wet/Green Materials

Dry/Brown Materials

Fruit & vegetables

Dry grass & leaves

Fresh grass or fallen leaves

Lint

Coffee grinds

Paper

 

Things to keep in mind:

Too much brown material causes decomposition to occur very slowly and too much green material can lead to anerobic conditions and unpleasant odors. Having a balance of brown and green materials helps maintain a healthy composting environment.

 

Additional Resources

“A Composting Guide” [A Composting Guide.pdf]