Composting is amazing for so many reasons—it keeps waste out of landfills and fills your garden with nutritious fuel for your crops.
But not everything should land on your compost pile. For instance, some seemingly perfect biodegradable materials could be full of microscopic plastic particles or toxic heavy metals that don’t break down in the soil. Check out these 7 things you should never compost—and 7 things you should!
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Dryer Lint
Why Avoid It: Dryer lint is often loaded with tiny plastic particles that shed from synthetic clothing fibers and never break down in the soil. Add to that the fact that the most popular dryer sheets, fabric softeners, and detergents contain toxic synthetic fragrance chemicals called phthalates, and it’s easy to see why this should be tossed straight into the trash.
Compost This Instead: Got a dead houseplant you’ve been ignoring in your house? As long as it’s not diseased, toss that on the compost pile for a nice dose of nitrogen. Household plant trimmings like stems, leaves, and faded blooms are also perfect for tossing into a compost pile.
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Drywall Scraps
Why Avoid It: Drywall seems like a great dry material to add to your compost pile, but this building material could be laced with toxins, since it’s often made from waste from coal-fired power plants. Plus, remember the Chinese drywall scandal that took place several years ago?
Compost This Instead: You can use sawdust, though only in moderation because it breaks down very slowly and can lock up nitrogen. Never use sawdust from treated or painted wood.
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Glossy Paper
Why Avoid It: Paper, especially glossy paper printed with colored ink, may contain heavy metals. It’s best to recycle paper instead of tossing it into your compost pile.
Compost This Instead: According to Compostology 1-2-3, you can compost cardboard in small amounts, provided you tear it into small pieces to speed decomposition. Avoid cardboard printed with colored inks and understand that come cardboard is treated with insecticides to keep pests out of the packaging. (Some people prefer to just recycle it to be safe.)
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Article source: Rodale’s Organic Life
Image source: same as above