This article was written for MSN.
Wondering how to compost kitchen waste at home? These 10 simple tips will help you turn food scraps into rich, nutrient-dense compost while reducing food waste.
If you cook as much as I do, you probably have a lot of kitchen waste, from vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and those sad herbs that wilt before you can use them. Instead of tossing all that kitchen waste into the trash, why not turn it into finished compost? Composting is a simple, beginner-friendly way to reduce food waste, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and create a rich soil amendment for your garden.
This guide will walk you through what you can and cannot compost, including some surprising items you probably didn’t know were compostable.
Why Composting Kitchen Waste Matters
- Reduces landfill waste – Food scraps make up nearly 30% of household waste. Composting helps keep them out of landfills (source NRDC).
- Cuts down on gas emissions – Organic matter in landfills produces methane, a major contributor to climate change. Composting minimizes these harmful emissions.
- Improves soil health – Compost piles create nutrient-rich soil that helps plants thrive, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
- Supports a circular food system – What goes into your compost bin today becomes rich, fertile soil for tomorrow’s crops.
10 Surprising Items You Can Compost
You probably already know you can compost fruit peels and veggie scraps, but here are 10 surprising compostable items that might be sitting in your trash right now.
1. Coffee Grounds & Filters
Most people know coffee grounds can be composted, but did you know that coffee filters (as long as they’re unbleached) can too? Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, making them an excellent green material for your compost pile.
2. Eggshells
Eggshells don’t decompose as quickly as other food scraps, but they add calcium, which is essential for healthy plant growth.
3. Stale Bread and Pasta
Most baked goods—like old bread, plain pasta, and dry cereal are compostable. However, avoid items with butter, dairy, or heavy oils, as these can attract pests if they sit in your compost bin too long.
4. Paper Towels & Napkins
Paper towels and napkins are compostable if they aren’t covered in grease, or come in contact with cleaning products, or chemicals. Used paper towels can help balance your compost’s carbon-to-nitrogen ratio by acting as a brown material.
5. Wine Corks (Real, Not Synthetic!)
Real cork (made from tree bark) is fully compostable, but synthetic wine corks (plastic-based) are not.
6. Nut Shells (Except Walnuts!)
Most nut shells (like peanuts, pistachios, and almonds) are compostable, but walnut shells contain compounds that can be toxic to certain plants.
7. Dryer Lint (Only Natural Fibers!)
Surprisingly, dryer lint can be composted if it comes from natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or linen. However, lint from synthetic materials (like polyester or spandex) should be avoided.
8. Herbs & Spices Past Their Prime
Got an expired bottle of oregano or cinnamon lurking in the back of your spice cabinet? Don’t toss it, compost it!
9. Used Tea Bags (Without Plastic!)
Loose tea leaves are 100% compostable, but some tea bags contain plastic. Always check before composting.
10. Toothpicks & Bamboo Skewers
As long as they are 100% wood or bamboo, toothpicks and skewers can be composted. However, avoid composting painted or dyed versions.
FAQs About Composting Kitchen Waste
Other Helpful Kitchen Guides
- 6 Best Ways to Cook Broccoli (Including Cooking Time)
- 10 Best Substitutes for Buttermilk (Tested)
- How To Compost Coffee Grounds and Ways to Use in Your Garden
- How to Reheat a Croissant
Final Thoughts
Composting kitchen waste is an easy way to reduce food waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve soil health. Whether you use an indoor compost bin, worm bin, or backyard compost pile, these 10 surprising compostable items will help you get started.
So next time you’re about to throw away egg shells, tea bags, or stale bread, remember they belong in your compost bin, not the trash!
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Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
