What Can I Compost in My Electric Composter? A Comprehensive List

by Vanessa Young | May 04, 2023

Now that you’ve gotten your brand new composter, you may be excited and wondering what exactly is good to compost and what is off limits.

Things You Can Add to Composter

Weeds / dead houseplants

One of the lucky ones that has a front or back yard? Compost the annoying weeds, dead plants, bugs and other things that litter your greenery.

Nuts (Beans/Seeds)
Soft bones (fish)

Emphasis on “soft,” because the harder the bone, the less chance it has of breaking down properly.

Soft shells (eggs, shrimp)
Soft peels (watermelon, melon, oranges, kiwis)
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Food leftovers, plate scrapings

This includes sauces from your meal, as well.

Dairy products (cheese, yogurt)
Meat scraps (Fish/shellfish/poultry)

Except for hard bones from chicken or steak.

Coffee filters, grounds, and tea bags
Small amounts of starches (bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals, oats and other grains)
Small amounts of Sauces (Jam/sauce/salad dressing/Peanut Butter)

Including purees or smoothie leftovers.

compostable food waste

So, in short, you can compost almost anything in your new electric composter! But what about what’s off limits?

Never Add to Composter

Candy/gum
Flammable materials (alcohol)
Compostable tableware
Hard bones (beef, pork, lamb)
Cooking oil, grease, liquids
Large-grained fruit cores (peach cores, avocado pits etc.)
Diapers, wipes, hygiene products

These things can and will damage your composter, so take care not to add them in. Damage from these items will void your warranty, just a head’s up!

For optimal compost, make sure to cut up large food/rigid stems/fibrous vegetables (for example: corn/corn husk, flower stems, Fiber plant, etc.) so that they don't get stuck during the grinding process.

What to Do With All This Compost

Add to your house plants, at a slow pace so you don’t overwhelm them.
Sprinkle throughout your lawn and garden. Make sure to follow instructions to properly add compost.
Donate to your local giving garden. Local farmers are open to community donations!
Add to available mulch outside at parks or in your neighborhood (check with the landscaping company first).

compost house plants