Food Specific Composting Guide
Vegetable Peels
Best Composting Method
Any (hot, cold, vermicomposting, Bokashi)
Easy to break down; high nitrogen content.
Fruit Scraps
Best Composting Method
Any (hot, cold, vermicomposting, Bokashi)
Avoid too much citrus for worms.
Meat
Best Composting Method
Bokashi or Industrial
Avoid in home compost to deter pests.
Dairy
Best Composting Method
Bokashi or Industrial
High fat content; not for traditional piles.
Cooked Food
Best Composting Method
Bokashi or Hot Composting
Manage grease carefully in hot compost.
Eggshells
Best Composting Method
Any (hot, cold, Bokashi)
Crush for faster breakdown.
Coffee Grounds
Best Composting Method
Any (hot, cold, vermicomposting)
High nitrogen; use in moderation.
Tea Bags
Best Composting Method
Vermicomposting, Hot Composting
Remove non-biodegradable staples/plastic.
Greasy Food
Best Composting Method
Bokashi
Hard to process in traditional composting.
Composting Methods Defined
1. Hot Composting
Handles moderate amounts of cooked food and small amounts of dairy or meat if well-managed.
2. Cold Composting
Raw vegetable peels, fruit scraps, and garden clippings.
Great for low-maintenance composting with fewer inputs.
3. Vermicomposting (Worm Composting)
Smaller quantities of food waste (ideal for apartments or small households).
4. Bokashi Composting
All types of food waste, including meat, dairy, cooked foods, and oily scraps.
Fermentation process can handle diverse materials without odors (with proper Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (see Carbon Efficiency Factors)
5. Trench Composting
Bulkier food waste like large fruit cores, corn husks, and root vegetable peels.
Cooked food waste in areas without pests.
6. Industrial or Commercial Composting
Items not suited for home composting, like meat, bones, dairy, compostable plastics, and large quantities of food waste.
Commercial facilities use high-heat methods to break down tough materials efficiently and safely.
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