nyc compost project: materials to compost

All organic materials contain carbon and nitrogen in varying proportions. To create ideal conditions for composting, add and mix equal parts (by volume) of "green" high-nitrogen materials and "brown" high-carbon materials. This blend will feed the bacteria and other decomposer organisms proper proportions of carbon and nitrogen. Without enough greens, a pile will decompose very slowly, and without enough browns the pile may smell bad. In general, it's better to err on the side of too many browns, so you should stockpile dry, carbon-rich material, such as fall leaves or shredded newspaper, to add to your bin throughout the year.

See complete lists of "browns" and "greens."
See what materials to avoid.

Don't forget that two other ingredients—water and oxygen—are also needed to ensure that your compost pile transforms itself into a mound of black gold.

For a more complete list of organic materials, see the Master Composter website.

HOW TO ADD MATERIALS

To avoid possible odors or pests, bury food scraps under browns such as leaves, brush, wood chips, or finished compost. For the winter, keep a bag, pile, or container of dry fall leaves or finished compost to add on top of food scraps.

Cut up bulkier materials with hand pruners or a knife to pieces about 4 inches long, or use a mower with a bagging attachment or a chipper/shredder for tough leaves, brush, and other large material.

BROWNS (materials that are rich in carbon)	GREENS (materials that are rich in nitrogen)
fall leaves	fruit and vegetable scraps
spent plants	coffee grounds and filters
straw and hay	tea bags
pine needles	fresh leaves
small twigs and wood chips	green plants
sawdust and woodshavings	prunings and hedge trimmings
shredded newspaper	grass clippings
egg shells	weeds
corncobs	flower bouquets
bread and grains	seaweed
wood ashes	feathers
old potting soil	horse manure
food-soiled paper towels and napkins	manure and bedding from small pets such as hamsters and rabbits
dried flowers	cornstarch and other organic packing materials
brewery waste, hops, and pomace	spoiled juice
food-soiled cardboard (recycle if clean, but compost if dirty)
stale flour, cereal, spices, beans
nutshells

MATERIALS TO AVOID IN YOUR COMPOST PILE

meat and fish scraps
cheese and dairy products
fats, oils, and grease
dog and cat waste
cat litter
dead animals
large branches
pressure-treated lumber
invasive weeds
weeds with seeds
pesticide-treated plants and grass clippings
diseased plants
sand
coal and charcoal ashes
colored or glossy paper
non-compostable materials such as plastics, metals, and glass

For more information, see:
• mixing your compost—air & water
• troubleshooting outdoor composting
• compost science

nyc compost project | how to compost | compost science | nyc compost resources
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