Can I compost that? Composting FAQs

We don't need to tell you how great composting is! If you're looking at what you can and can't compost chances are you already know. Composting diverts waste, rebuilds soil and helps you grow your own food!

So let's get down to what you can and can't compost and how to use it to benefit your plants and your home!

What can I compost?

Use your Caddy to store all the compostable items below, before you empty it into your Subpod: 

Food Waste

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Eggshells (crush them first)
• Coffee grounds, used tea leaves
• Spoiled plant-based milks
• Grains, pastas & breads
• Nuts (and their shells), seeds, pits, husks 
• Bread (let go stale first and break into small pieces)

Small amounts only of meat, seafood, bones, dairy foods, citrus, onion and garlic, spicy herbs, peppers and oils may also be added.

Paper & Card

Scrap paper and cardboard can be added to your compost, as long as it’s not laminated or super glossy. 

• Office paper
• Junk mail, bills, envelopes (no plastic windows)
• Post-it notes
• Paper plates, paper towels, tissues
• Egg cartons, paper cupcake liners, baking paper, 
• Card, paper packaging

Natural Fibres

• Cotton wool balls 
• Toilet paper/paper towel cores
• Old napkins (made from natural fibres like cotton, tencel, linen, hemp or wool - no polyester, nylon, acrylic or blends) 

Wood & Bamboo

• Toothpicks, disposable wood & bamboo cutlery 
• Used matches
• Bamboo skewers

What should I not compost?

You should never put any non-organics such as plastic, tin cans, cigarettes, building waste, toxic waste, glass, or anything similar into your compost.

Other items not to put into your compost:

• Coated cardboard
• Treated wood or sawdust
• Tea bags (Unless they are completely plastic free)

What if I don’t have a compost bin?

Many councils offer organic waste collection, your street might be included. You can also see if there's a local community garden that would be happy to compost your scraps for you. But if you’re ready to divert waste, nothing beats composting at home.

When can I start composting?

Any time of year is ok to start composting. The breakdown of compost material happens a little bit faster in warmer months (Spring and Summer) but there is no reason you can’t start your composting project any time of the year.

What should I do to maintain healthy compost?

Adding the correct scraps and organic matter is the most important.

As you add new scraps and material to your compost, gently mix in the freshly added material into the lower layers. Mixing compost is not a timely exercise and mixing for a few minutes once every week or so is enough. Keeping your compost well-mixed will help speed up the composting process as well as minimise odours. 

Can I use compost in my garden?

Yes, this is one of the great benefits of composting. Nutrients from compost are released slowly into the soil and help plants grow healthy root systems. The compost you add to your garden should almost look like rich soil and crumbles in your hand.

What time of year should I add compost to my garden?

Right before the growing season is an ideal time to add compost to your gardens. End of Autumn to early Spring is ideal to give your compost time to break down into the soil. However, you can add matured compost to your garden any time of year.

How can I use the compost I create?

1. For potting mixture
Mix 1 part compost, to 3 parts soil, to grow seeds and cuttings

2. For seedling mixture
Mix 1 part compost, to 2 parts soil, to grow established seedlings

3. For nourishing houseplants or pot plants
Sprinkle undiluted compost on top of the soil. If there’s no room, remove some soil and replace with compost.

4. For nourishing your garden
Spread a layer of undiluted compost on top of the soil over garden beds or around trees to add nutrients to the soil.

5. For nourishing your lawn
Sprinkle undiluted compost over your lawn and rake it through to promote growth. 

6. To balance soils
As you dig garden beds, add some compost in with the soil as you put it back. It’s perfect for balancing sandy and clay based soils.

Getting Started

If you are new to composting we highly recommend the Subpod to help get you started. Check out this useful guide to composting with Subpod.