Composting

Composting is a simple way to recycle food scraps and yard materials at home while creating a natural soil amendment for your garden.

Composting can also help residents reduce organic waste and support California’s organics recycling goals.

According to the EPA’s home composting guidance, composting works best with the right mix of browns, greens, water and air.

Composting basics

• Browns: Materials such as dead leaves, branches, twigs, shredded newspaper and cardboard.
• Greens: Materials such as grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags.
• Water: Moisture helps break down organic material. Compost should be damp, but not soaked.
• Air: Oxygen helps materials break down. Turning or mixing the pile from time to time can help air circulate.

A healthy compost pile should have a balance of browns and greens. Browns provide carbon, greens provide nitrogen, water provides moisture and air helps materials break down.

What to compost

• Fruits and vegetables
• Eggshells
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea bags
• Nut shells
• Shredded newspaper
• Cardboard and paper
• Yard trimmings and grass clippings
• Houseplants
• Hay and straw
• Leaves
• Sawdust and wood chips
• Cotton and wool rags
• Hair and fur
• Cooled fireplace ashes

What not to compost

Some materials can create odors, attract pests, spread disease or harm plants. Do not add these items to a home compost pile:

• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
• Coal or charcoal ash
• Dairy products, such as butter, milk, sour cream or yogurt
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants
• Fats, grease, lard or oils
• Meat, fish or bones
• Pet waste, including dog or cat feces and soiled cat litter
• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides

Worm composting

Worm composting, also called vermicomposting, uses composting worms to break down organic material. Red Wigglers are one of the most common types of composting worms.

Worms help process food scraps and create nutrient-rich castings that can be used to improve soil. Worm bins can be a good option for residents who want to compost in a smaller space.