10 Surprising Items You Can Compost in your Backyard DIY Composting System 🌻🍂

Composting is an exciting and environmentally friendly way to reduce waste and enrich the soil in your backyard. By turning your organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, you’re not only reducing the amount of waste in landfills, but you’re also providing your plants with essential nutrients. While most people know that food scraps and yard waste can be composted, there are many other surprising items that you can add to your compost bin. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at ten surprising items you can compost in your backyard DIY composting system.

1. Coffee Grounds ☕️

Coffee grounds are a great addition to your compost bin. They’re high in nitrogen, making them an excellent activator for your compost. Plus, they can help keep pests away from your garden by repelling snails, ants, and slugs. It’s important to note that you should avoid adding coffee grounds in large quantities, as they can make your compost too acidic.

2. Hair/Sawdust 💇‍♀️

Both human and pet hair, as well as sawdust, can be added to your compost. They’re high in carbon, which is essential for a healthy compost. Just make sure that you avoid adding hair that has been treated with chemicals or sawdust from treated wood.

3. Dryer Lint 🧦

Did you know that you can compost your dryer lint? It’s true! Dryer lint is mostly made up of small pieces of fabric, making it an excellent source of carbon for your compost. Just make sure that you’re using lint from natural fibers, such as cotton and wool.

4. Eggshells 🥚

Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium and other minerals that can benefit your plants. Just make sure that you crush them before adding them to your compost bin, as they can take a long time to decompose otherwise. Plus, crushed eggshells can help keep pests away from your garden by repelling slugs and snails.

5. Tea Bags 🍵

Did you know that tea bags can be added to your compost bin? It’s true! Tea bags are high in nitrogen, making them an excellent addition to your compost. Just make sure that you’re using tea bags that are made from natural materials, such as paper or silk.

6. Wine Corks 🍾

Wine corks are made from natural materials, making them an excellent addition to your compost. They’re high in carbon, and their porous texture can help improve airflow in your compost bin. Just make sure that you’re using real cork, and not synthetic cork made from plastic.

7. Cotton Balls/Q-tips 🧹

Both cotton balls and Q-tips can be added to your compost bin. They’re typically made from cotton, making them an excellent source of carbon for your compost. Just make sure that you’re using cotton balls and Q-tips that are made from natural materials, and not synthetic materials.

8. Shredded Cardboard 📦

Shredded cardboard is an excellent source of carbon for your compost. It’s also a great way to recycle cardboard boxes that you would otherwise throw away. Just make sure that you’re using plain cardboard, and not cardboard that’s been treated with chemicals or has a glossy coating.

9. Nail Clippings 💅

Nail clippings, like hair, are an excellent source of carbon for your compost. Just make sure that you’re using nail clippings that are free of nail polish and other chemicals.

10. Newspaper 📰

Newspaper is an excellent source of carbon for your compost. Just make sure that you’re using plain newspaper, and not newspaper that’s been treated with color or chemicals. It’s also a great way to recycle old newspaper that you would otherwise throw away.

Conclusion 🌿

Composting is an easy and environmentally friendly way to reduce waste and enrich your soil. By adding these surprising items to your compost bin, you’ll be able to make nutrient-rich compost that will benefit your plants and garden. So why not give it a try? You’ll be surprised at how easy and rewarding composting can be.