One of the most common questions about composting is also the simplest: what can actually go in? The answer depends a little on whether you compost at home or use a service, but the fundamentals are the same. The EPA groups compostable material into nitrogen-rich greens and carbon-rich browns.
Greens (nitrogen-rich)
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds and paper filters
- Tea leaves
- Fresh grass clippings and plant trimmings
Browns (carbon-rich)
- Dry leaves
- Shredded paper and cardboard
- Untreated wood chips and sawdust
- Paper towels and napkins
What to leave out of a backyard pile
Home piles usually do best without meat, dairy, and oily foods, which can attract pests and slow things down. Never add plastic, glass, metal, or anything treated with chemicals. One advantage of a service like Torus is that our processing partner can accept a wider range of food waste than a typical backyard bin. See our full acceptable food waste list for exactly what we take.
The easy option
If sorting greens and browns feels like a lot, a pickup service handles the details for you. Learn what Torus is and how our free service works, then sign up.