Composting Craft Waste
Why Compost Craft Waste?
Benefit | Description |
---|---|
Reduces Landfill Waste | Diverts organic materials from landfills, where they produce methane. |
Creates Nutrient-Rich Soil | Produces a valuable soil amendment for gardens and plants. |
Reduces Carbon Footprint | Less waste sent to landfills means fewer greenhouse gas emissions. |
Compostable Craft Materials
Material Type | Examples | Notes |
---|---|---|
Natural Fibers | Cotton, wool, linen, silk (undyed/natural dyes) | Cut into small pieces to speed decomposition. Avoid synthetic blends. |
Paper & Cardboard | Paper scraps, cardboard tubes, egg cartons (uncoated) | Shred or tear into small pieces. Avoid glossy or heavily inked paper. |
Wood & Plant Matter | Sawdust (untreated wood), wood shavings, dried flowers, leaves | Ensure wood is untreated and free of glues/finishes. |
Food Scraps | Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, tea bags | Standard kitchen compostables. |
Non-Compostable Craft Materials (Avoid)
Material Type | Examples | Reason to Avoid |
---|---|---|
Synthetic Fibers | Polyester, acrylic, nylon | Do not break down, release microplastics. |
Treated Wood | Plywood, MDF, painted wood | Contains glues, resins, or chemicals. |
Glitter & Plastics | All types of glitter, plastic beads, plastic packaging | Non-biodegradable, harmful to environment. |
Metals | Wire, metal findings | Do not decompose, can contaminate compost. |
Heavily Glued/Inked Paper | Glossy paper, heavily printed paper | Chemicals can harm compost. |
Setting Up Your Composting System
System Type | Pros | Cons | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
Compost Bin (Outdoor) | Large capacity, good for garden waste. | Requires outdoor space, can attract pests if not managed. | Gardeners, those with larger volumes of organic waste. |
Vermicomposting (Worm Bin) | Odorless, can be done indoors, produces worm castings. | Requires managing worms, smaller capacity. | Apartment dwellers, those wanting nutrient-rich fertilizer. |
Bokashi Composting | Ferments food scraps, can compost meat/dairy. | Requires special bran, needs a secondary burial/compost. | Those with limited space, wanting to compost all food waste. |