{"id":579620,"date":"2010-05-26T13:13:02","date_gmt":"2010-05-26T17:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/green.yahoo.com\/blog\/daily_green_cheapskate\/57\/how-to-compost-almost-anything.html"},"modified":"2010-05-26T13:13:02","modified_gmt":"2010-05-26T17:13:02","slug":"how-to-compost-almost-anything","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/579620","title":{"rendered":"How to compost almost anything"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Photo: Denise Yeager)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Composting is the ultimate act of green frugality<\/a>, turning unwanted organic material into rich humus for use in the garden rather than sealing it in plastic trash bags to spend eternity in a landfill. But for some of us, composting is something even more special — a hobby, a passion, almost a religion<\/a>. I’ve even named my beloved compost pile; “Gomer,” as in Gomer Pyle<\/a> (get it?).<\/p>\n

As compost enthusiasts say, “A rind is a terrible thing to waste.” But composting fruit and veggie rinds and other trimmings, along with leaves, grass clippings, shredded paper, and cardboard is only the beginning. <\/p>\n

Here are some compostable items you might not think about:<\/p>\n

Dryer lint<\/strong>
If you must dry your clothes in an electric clothes dryer (it significantly shortens the lifespan of many garments, plus wastes energy and money<\/a>) instead of using a clothesline, at least compost the lint.<\/p>\n

Hair and fur<\/strong>
With my receding hairline<\/a>, I don’t have a lot of my own hair to share with Gomer, but our four cats shed enough to make up for it. Hair adds nitrogen and other beneficial nutrients to compost.<\/p>\n

Fireplace ashes<\/strong>
Wood ashes (including ashes from charcoal made from wood) help to retain moisture in the compost pile. Wood ashes also contain potassium, a major plant nutrient that can be beneficial depending on the soil type.<\/p>\n

Jell-O (gelatin)<\/strong>
“There’s always room for Jell-O.” I recently found a bowl of old, rubberized Jell-O in the back of the fridge and decided to give it Gomer as a special treat.<\/p>\n

Cotton, wool, and silk clothing\/fabric<\/strong>
After a long and productive second-life as dust rags, worn-out clothing made of natural fibers will decompose faster if you shred them before composting.<\/p>\n

Full vacuum cleaner bags<\/strong>
Paper vacuum cleaner bags and their contents — as well as all species of non-synthetic dust bunnies — are welcome in the compost pile.<\/p>\n

Nail clippings<\/strong>
The byproducts of pedicures, manicures, and even pet nails — are all compostable, provided that they’re polish-free.<\/p>\n

Rope and string<\/strong>
Rope and twine made out of natural fibers (e.g., cotton, hemp, jute, and manila ropes) will decompose in the compost pile.<\/p>\n

Leather goods and clothing<\/strong>
From leftover lederhosen to a leather glove that lost its mate, natural leather products will decompose (albeit slowly) in the compost pile.<\/p>\n

Skunky beer, wine, and corks<\/strong>
Gomer likes a brewski once in awhile. Leftover alcohol (if such a thing exists) can be added to the compost pile, as can the corks from the bottles.<\/p>\n

Pet food leftovers<\/strong>
Dry dog, cat, and fish food is OK for the compost pile (bury it in the pile to deter rodents and other unwanted pests), and even too-chewed rawhide dog chews can be composted.<\/p>\n

Spoiled milk and dairy products<\/strong>
Meat products are generally a compost pile no-no, but spoiled dairy products like moldy cheese, sour milk, and yogurt are okay.<\/p>\n

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White glue and masking tape<\/strong>
Check for toxic ingredients, but most white glues (like Elmer’s brand) and paper masking tape can be composted. (by the way, Post-It-Notes can be, too.)<\/p>\n

Teabags and coffee grounds<\/strong>
Of course at our house, we use them at least twice before they’re ready for the compost pile. And remember that paper coffee filters can be composted too.<\/p>\n

Latex condoms and cotton\/cardboard feminine hygiene products<\/strong>
Yes, it’s true. Yes, it’s gross.<\/p>\n

Cotton balls and Q-Tips<\/strong>
Just make sure that your cotton swabs like Q-Tips are 100% cotton and have cardboard or wooden sticks (NOT plastic).<\/p>\n

Seaweed\/kelp<\/strong>
If you live on an ocean or other waterway and your shoreline is being invaded by washed up seaweed or kelp, add it to the compost pile — it’s often used in organic fertilizers.<\/p>\n

Eggshells<\/strong>
Eggshells have many great uses around the house and garden<\/a>, but composting them is an eggcellent idea, too, since they add calcium to the soil.<\/p>\n

Stale bread and other grain products<\/strong>
Of course, I have too many other uses for stale bread<\/a> to go feeding it to Gomer, but leftover grain-based food products, including pasta, rice, cereal, crackers, pizza crusts, etc., can be composted (again, bury them in the pile to deter unwanted pests).<\/p>\n

Organic holiday decorations<\/strong>
If you’re not going to eat your Halloween jack-o-lantern<\/a> like I do, it can be composted, along with wreaths and pine boughs from Christmas, latex balloons from birthday parties, and that long-dead bouquet you paid too much for at Valentine’s Day<\/a>. Next year, try planting a rose bush for her instead, using the compost from your own Gomer.<\/p>\n

Jeff Yeager is the author of the book The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches<\/a> and the forthcoming The Cheapskate Next Door<\/a>. His website is www.UltimateCheapskate.com<\/a>. Follow Jeff Yeager on Twitter<\/a> and friend Jeff on Facebook<\/a>. Friend TDG on Facebook<\/a> and follow TDG on Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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