Composting Beyond the Banana Peel

We all know kitchen scraps and yard waste go in the compost bin—but what about pet hair? Old bread? That forgotten bag of oats in the back of your pantry? The truth is, your compost pile can handle a lot more than you think.

In this guide, we’ll explore 10 surprising (and sometimes strange) items you can compost—plus 3 common ones that you shouldn’t, and a Master Gardener tip at the end.

✅ 10 Weird (But Useful) Things You Can Compost

1. Human Hair & Pet Fur

That clump of hair from your hairbrush or your dog’s grooming session? It’s rich in nitrogen and breaks down slowly, feeding soil microbes. Scatter it through the pile for airflow and balance.

2. Stale Bread and Moldy Tortillas

Carbohydrates like stale bread, bagels, tortillas, and even cooked plain pasta can all be composted—just avoid anything with oil, cheese, or sauce.

3. Cotton Balls (100% Cotton Only)

Used cotton balls from skincare (as long as they weren’t soaked in chemicals or makeup remover) break down like any other plant fiber.

4. Old Oatmeal, Rice, or Grains

Dry pantry goods gone stale? Dump them in! Just scatter them throughout the pile to avoid attracting pests.

5. Natural Loofahs

That scratchy bath sponge made from the luffa plant is fully compostable when it’s worn out. Cut it up into smaller chunks to help it break down faster.

6. Shredded Newspaper and Crinkle Paper

As long as it’s black ink on plain paper (not glossy), it adds carbon and soaks up excess moisture. Crinkle paper from packaging is ideal—it’s already shredded!

7. Toilet Paper Rolls and Paper Towel Tubes

Rip them up and sprinkle them in. These brown cardboard tubes are a perfect carbon base for wet, green kitchen scraps.

8. Natural Wine Corks

Only real cork—not the synthetic kind—will compost. Chop them up first so they don’t take forever.

9. Vacuum Bag Contents (With Caution)

If you mostly clean hardwood floors and natural fiber rugs, the dust and pet hair are compostable. Avoid if you have lots of synthetic carpet fibers or glittery kid debris.

10. Toenail & Fingernail Clippings (Unpolished Only)

Yes, it’s gross. But they’re keratin, just like hair—and fully biodegradable. That said, unless you’re a nail tech with a bucket of clippings, this one’s more novelty than necessity.

🚫 3 Things You Think You Can Compost… But Shouldn’t

1. Citrus Peels (In Large Quantities)

While a few orange peels are fine, they’re acidic and break down slowly. Too many can disrupt microbial balance and worm activity. Use sparingly—or dry and crush them first.

2. Glossy or Colored Paper

Shiny magazine pages, colored gift wrap, and heavily printed flyers often contain plastic coatings and synthetic dyes that don’t belong in your soil.

3. Compostable Plastics

Those “compostable” forks and cups? They need industrial conditions to break down and won’t decompose in a backyard pile. You’ll just find them sitting there months later, unchanged.

🌿 Final Thoughts – Get Creative, Not Contaminated

Your compost pile can handle way more than just fruit scraps and leaves. From bathroom castoffs to pantry flops, these strange additions can actually boost microbial diversity and create richer compost—if you know what you’re doing.

Just remember: stick to items that are natural, chemical-free, and biodegradable. When in doubt, leave it out—or look it up.

🧠 Master Gardener Tip

Balance weird items with dry “browns” like straw, leaves, or shredded cardboard. And always chop up large pieces to speed decomposition and avoid pests.

📚 Related Composting & Soil Health Posts

Can You Compost Cardboard? The Truth About Brown Layers
Mulch Mold: Is It Harmful or Helpful?
The Ground Up Guide to Building Living Soil