Organics - A Growing Market
Carbon /
Type of Material Use it? Nitrogen
Algae seaweed and
lake moss
Ashes from coal or
charcoal
Compost Materials
Almost any organic material is suitable
for a compost pile. The pile needs a
proper ratio of carbon-rich materials,
or browns, and nitrogen-rich materials,
or greens. Among the brown materials
are dried leaves, straw and wood chips.
Nitrogen materials are fresh or green,
such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps.
Mixing certain types of materials or
changing the proportions can make a
difference in the rate of decomposition.
Achieving the best mix is more an art
gained through experience than an exact
science. The ideal ratio approaches 25
parts browns to one part greens. Judge
the amounts roughly equal by weight.
Too much carbon will cause the pile to
break down too slowly, while too much
nitrogen can cause odor. The carbon
provides energy for the microbes, and the
nitrogen provides protein.
The chart on the right lists common
composting materials:
MY
66
MAXIMUM YIELD USA - March 2009
No
N/A
Good source of nutrients
May contain materials bad for plants
Neutral
Fine amounts at most; can make pile
too alkaline and suppress composting.
Beverages, kitchen
rinse water
Yes
Neutral
Best to moisten the middle of the pile.
Don’t over moisten the pile.
Carefully
N
May contain weed seeds or
disease organisms.
Cardboard
Yes
C
Shred into small pieces if you use it.
Wetting it makes it easier to tear. If you
have a lot, consider recycling instead.
Cat droppings
or cat litter
No
N/A
May contain disease organisms. Avoid.
Coffee grounds
and filters
Yes
N
Not
required
but OK
Neutral
Yes
C
Best if shredded and mixed well with
nitrogen rich mat