Will it compost?

Not sure if that avocado stone or old hairbrush belongs in the heap? Let’s break it down!

A healthy compost pile is like a balanced diet - it needs a mix of "Greens" (Nitrogen) and "Browns" (Carbon). 💡 Aim for a ratio of about 2:1 (Browns to Greens) for a happy, smell-free pile.

Adding kitchen scraps to a compost bin in a home garden, illustrating sustainable waste management through composting.

Here's a handy cheat sheet:

• The Greens (Nitrogen-rich):

  
  

  • 🥕 Veggie & fruit cuttings: General scraps from dinner prep.

  • 🍌 Banana skins: High in potassium; chop them up to speed things up.

  • ☕️ Coffee grounds: Your morning flat white remains are compost gold.
    

• The Browns (Carbon-rich):
  

  • 🍂 Dry leaves & straw: Essential for airflow.

  • 📄 Cardboard & paper: Egg cartons and non-glossy mail are perfect.
    

• The "Tricky" Bits:
  

  • 🥑 Avocado stones: These take time! Smash them with a spade first.

  • 🪮 Hair & pet fur: High in nitrogen! Spread it thinly so it doesn't mat.

  • 🍖 Meat, bones, & shells: These can attract pests in a normal pile. Use a Bokashi system for these.

If you're not sure about some other items, do a quick Google search or come along to one of our free home composting workshops (see Events page for details) and ask our friendly team!

Happy composting!