Composting is indeed one way to reduce the negative impact of waste. However, not all waste, including organic waste, can be composted. Let’s find out here what kind of waste that can’t be composted at home!
Kitchen Waste
- Meat, fish and bones, because worms cannot easily eat them. Experts are needed to compost the waste.
- Dairy products and eggs, because they will give off a very unpleasant aroma when they ferment.
- Baked food, because it can give rise to bad bacteria and attract rodents.
- Garlic, because it can kill worms and other microorganisms that are important for breaking down organic matter.
- Oranges and their peels have the same effect as garlic.
- Tea or coffee bags, as they usually contain microplastics that do not biodegrade.
- Butter, oil, and animal fats, as water does not mix with oil and moisture is essential for successful composting.
Other Waste
- Large wood or piles of tree branches, because it takes a long time to compost.
- Coal ash, for example after a BBQ, because it contains sulfur and iron that can damage crops. We recommend using wood ash.
- Processed wood, such as that used for building materials. These are usually made by including a chemical that makes them unable to produce moisture.
- Paper or cardboard. This is especially for paper that has been contaminated with pen or print ink. Likewise colored cardboard.
- Plants with diseases, either by insects or fungi. This will only make the tree leaves rot later.
- Weeds, because they will germinate in the compost and spread to the plants that are given the compost.
- Cigarette butts, because they generally contain plastic. In addition, cigarette butts contain many toxic substances.
- Leather products, because it is not easy to decompose.