{
  "name": "Home composting materials",
  "source": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 (credit hopcompost.com)",
  "updated": "2026-09-22",
  "note": "Carbon-to-nitrogen figures are approximate published ranges. Verdicts apply to home composting, not industrial facilities.",
  "materials": [
    {
      "slug": "fruit-and-vegetable-scraps",
      "name": "Fruit and vegetable scraps",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/fruit-and-vegetable-scraps/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": "about 25:1",
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Classic nitrogen-rich green; balance with browns"
    },
    {
      "slug": "coffee-grounds",
      "name": "Coffee grounds",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/coffee-grounds/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": "about 20:1",
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Nitrogen-rich green; mix in, don't layer thick"
    },
    {
      "slug": "tea-bags",
      "name": "Tea bags",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/tea-bags/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Leaves compost fine; many bags contain plastic"
    },
    {
      "slug": "eggshells",
      "name": "Eggshells",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/eggshells/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Adds calcium; crush first, breaks down slowly"
    },
    {
      "slug": "banana-peels",
      "name": "Banana peels",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/banana-peels/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Soft green; chop and bury to avoid fruit flies"
    },
    {
      "slug": "citrus-peels",
      "name": "Citrus peels",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/citrus-peels/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Fine in piles; chop small, go light in worm bins"
    },
    {
      "slug": "onions-and-garlic",
      "name": "Onions and garlic",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/onions-and-garlic/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Fine in piles; chop to stop sprouting"
    },
    {
      "slug": "bread",
      "name": "Bread",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/bread/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "bury",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Breaks down fast but attracts rodents; bury small amounts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "rice-and-pasta",
      "name": "Rice and pasta",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/rice-and-pasta/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "bury",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Attracts pests; small amounts buried, or bokashi"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cooked-food",
      "name": "Cooked food",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/cooked-food/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "bury",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Plain veg OK buried; meat, dairy, oil elsewhere"
    },
    {
      "slug": "meat",
      "name": "Meat",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/meat/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Attracts pests and smells; use bokashi or city collection"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fish",
      "name": "Fish",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/fish/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Strong smell, attracts animals; use bokashi or city collection"
    },
    {
      "slug": "dairy",
      "name": "Dairy",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/dairy/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Goes rancid and draws pests; use bokashi"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cheese",
      "name": "Cheese",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/cheese/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Fatty and smelly; attracts pests"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cooking-oil",
      "name": "Cooking oil",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/cooking-oil/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Coats materials, turns rancid; use trash or drop-off"
    },
    {
      "slug": "eggs",
      "name": "Eggs",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/eggs/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "bury",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "yes",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Smell and draw animals; bury a few deep"
    },
    {
      "slug": "avocado-pits",
      "name": "Avocado pits",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/avocado-pits/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Slow; crack pits first"
    },
    {
      "slug": "corn-cobs",
      "name": "Corn cobs",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/corn-cobs/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen",
        "garden"
      ],
      "summary": "Slow but useful; chop cobs, husks break down fast"
    },
    {
      "slug": "nut-shells",
      "name": "Nut shells",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/nut-shells/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Slow brown; crush first, go easy on walnut"
    },
    {
      "slug": "grass-clippings",
      "name": "Grass clippings",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/grass-clippings/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": "about 20:1",
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "yard"
      ],
      "summary": "Hot green; mix thin with browns or it mats"
    },
    {
      "slug": "leaves",
      "name": "Leaves",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/leaves/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": "about 40–80:1",
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "shred",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "yard"
      ],
      "summary": "Best free brown; shred to stop matting"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pine-needles",
      "name": "Pine needles",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/pine-needles/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": "about 60–110:1",
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "yard"
      ],
      "summary": "Slow brown; fine in moderation, not acidifying"
    },
    {
      "slug": "weeds",
      "name": "Weeds",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/weeds/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "soak",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "garden"
      ],
      "summary": "Fine before seeding; drown or hot-compost seeds and roots"
    },
    {
      "slug": "diseased-plants",
      "name": "Diseased plants",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/diseased-plants/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "garden"
      ],
      "summary": "Pathogens survive cool piles; use yard waste or trash"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wood-ash",
      "name": "Wood ash",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/wood-ash/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "household"
      ],
      "summary": "Small amounts only; alkaline, untreated wood only"
    },
    {
      "slug": "charcoal-ash",
      "name": "Charcoal ash",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/charcoal-ash/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "household"
      ],
      "summary": "Briquette additives; bag it for the trash"
    },
    {
      "slug": "sawdust",
      "name": "Sawdust",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/sawdust/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": "about 200–500:1",
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "household"
      ],
      "summary": "Very high carbon; untreated wood only, mix well"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wood-chips",
      "name": "Wood chips",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/wood-chips/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": "about 400:1",
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "yard"
      ],
      "summary": "Very slow brown; adds airflow, better as mulch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "straw-and-hay",
      "name": "Straw and hay",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/straw-and-hay/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": "about 75:1 (straw)",
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "chop",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "garden"
      ],
      "summary": "Airy brown; watch hay seeds and herbicide residue"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cardboard",
      "name": "Cardboard",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/cardboard/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": "about 350:1",
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "shred",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "paper"
      ],
      "summary": "Easy brown; tear up, remove tape"
    },
    {
      "slug": "newspaper",
      "name": "Newspaper",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/newspaper/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": "about 175:1",
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "shred",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "paper"
      ],
      "summary": "Good brown; shred it, skip glossy inserts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "paper-towels",
      "name": "Paper towels",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/paper-towels/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "yes",
      "bokashi": "caution",
      "tags": [
        "paper",
        "kitchen"
      ],
      "summary": "Quick brown; skip chemical-soaked ones"
    },
    {
      "slug": "glossy-paper",
      "name": "Glossy paper",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/glossy-paper/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "paper"
      ],
      "summary": "Clay and plastic coatings; recycle instead"
    },
    {
      "slug": "receipts",
      "name": "Receipts",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/receipts/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "paper"
      ],
      "summary": "Thermal paper often coated with BPA or BPS"
    },
    {
      "slug": "dryer-lint",
      "name": "Dryer lint",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/dryer-lint/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "brown",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "household"
      ],
      "summary": "Natural-fiber loads only; synthetic lint is microplastic"
    },
    {
      "slug": "hair-and-fur",
      "name": "Hair and fur",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/hair-and-fur/",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "household",
        "animal"
      ],
      "summary": "Nitrogen-rich but slow; spread thin"
    },
    {
      "slug": "dog-and-cat-poop",
      "name": "Dog and cat poop",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/dog-and-cat-poop/",
      "verdict": "no",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "animal"
      ],
      "summary": "Parasites and pathogens; never near food gardens"
    },
    {
      "slug": "chicken-manure",
      "name": "Chicken manure",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/chicken-manure/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": "about 7–10:1",
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "animal",
        "garden"
      ],
      "summary": "Very hot nitrogen; compost hot, pathogen caution"
    },
    {
      "slug": "horse-manure",
      "name": "Horse manure",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/horse-manure/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "green",
      "cn": "about 25–30:1",
      "moisture": "wet",
      "prep": "none",
      "worm_bin": "caution",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "animal",
        "garden"
      ],
      "summary": "Good balance; ask about herbicides and weed seeds"
    },
    {
      "slug": "compostable-plastics",
      "name": "Compostable plastics",
      "url": "https://hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/compostable-plastics/",
      "verdict": "caution",
      "category": "neither",
      "cn": null,
      "moisture": "dry",
      "prep": "shred",
      "worm_bin": "no",
      "bokashi": "no",
      "tags": [
        "household"
      ],
      "summary": "Most need industrial facilities; look for home-certified"
    }
  ]
}