Can I really compost that? Yes you can!

The basics of composting are simple. Most people know they can compost fruit and vegetable peels, leaves, and grass clippings. But what about that tea bag you used this morning? Or the fur that collects in the brush when you groom your cat?

The following list is meant to get you thinking about your compost possibilities.  Imagine how much trash we could prevent from going into the landfills if each of us just decided to compost a few more things. Here are some ideas to get you started.

From the Kitchen

Coffee grounds and filters

Tea bags

Used paper napkins

Pizza boxes, ripped into smaller pieces

Paper bags, either ripped or balled up

The crumbs you sweep off of the counters and floors

Plain cooked pasta

Plain cooked rice

Stale bread

Paper towel rolls

Stale saltine crackers

Stale cereal

Used paper plates (as long as they don't have a waxy coating)

Cellophane bags (be sure it's really Cellophane and not just clear plastic—there's a difference.)

Nut shells (except for walnut shells, which can be toxic to plants)

Old herbs and spices

Stale pretzels

Pizza crusts

Cereal boxes (tear them into smaller pieces first)

Wine corks

Moldy cheese

Melted ice cream

Old jelly, jam, or preserves

Stale beer and wine

Paper egg cartons

Toothpicks

Bamboo skewers

Paper cupcake or muffin cups

                                                  From the Laundry Room

Dryer lint

Old/stained cotton clothing—rip or cut it into smaller pieces

Old wool clothing—rip or cut it into smaller pieces

From the Bathroom

Used facial tissues

Hair from your hairbrush

Toilet paper rolls

Old loofahs

Nail clippings

Urine (honest! Google it!)

100% Cotton cotton balls

Cotton swabs made from 100% cotton and cardboard (not plastic) sticks

From the Office

Bills and other documents you've shredded

Envelopes (minus the plastic window)

Pencil shavings

Sticky notes

Business cards (as long as they're not glossy)

Receipts

Around the House

Contents of your vacuum cleaner bag or canister

Newspapers (shredded or torn into smaller pieces)

Subscription cards from magazines

Leaves trimmed from houseplants

Dead houseplants and their soil

Flowers from floral arrangements

Natural potpourri

Used matches

Ashes from the fireplace, barbecue grill, or outdoor fire pit

 Party and Holiday Supplies

Wrapping paper rolls

Paper table cloths

Crepe paper streamers

Latex balloons

Raffia

Excelsior

Jack o' Lanterns

Those hay bales you used as part of your outdoor fall decor

Natural holiday wreaths

Your Christmas tree. Chop it up with some pruners first (or use a wood chipper, if you have one...)

Evergreen garlands

Pet-Related

Fur from the dog or cat brush

Droppings and bedding from your rabbit/gerbil/hamsters, etc.

Newspaper/droppings from the bottom of the bird cage

Feathers

Alfalfa hay or pellets (usually fed to rabbits)

Rawhide dog chews

Fish food

Dry dog or cat food