Disposing of your organic waste in the brown bin instead of the garbage helps divert food scraps from landfills, initiating the composting process and transforming organic matter into useful materials like nutrients that enrich and improve soil quality. But do you really know which leftover materials are suitable for traditional composting? Our editorial team (huge composting enthusiasts!) is here to help you sort it all out.
It’s often said that small actions have the power to make a big difference. Here’s proof: if every household in Quebec composted their organic waste for a year, the finished compost produced would significantly boost plant growth and would be the equivalent of taking 300,000 cars off the road in terms1 of CO2 emissions.
Are you wondering if certain everyday items, like newspaper or recyclable materials, can go in the compost?
Composting: A Definition
Composting is a natural process where composting materials, like food scraps, yard waste, and other organic matter, are broken down by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) and decomposers (insects, worms).
This process transforms these materials into a nutrient-rich substance called compost, which serves as a natural fertilizer to enrich soil and improve soil structure. Composting helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills by recycling brown material and other organic matter, making it an ideal practice for those with access to an outdoor space.
What’s the Difference Between Home Composting and Municipal Composting?
Home Composting
Home composting is when you use a compost bin to transform organic materials, such as kitchen scraps, vegetable scraps, meat scraps, grass clippings, and even shredded paper, into fresh compost. Whether you’re creating cold composting over time or a more actively managed pile, the result is a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden.
Municipal Composting
Municipal composting involves placing organic materials in a compost bin for collection by your city, which processes them under ideal conditions through industrial composting. This compost process can produce a large batch of compost products that are often used to enrich parks, community gardens, and other shared spaces.
Important Note: Some items that can be composted municipally cannot be composted in a home composter.
Different Compostable Materials
Can You Compost Hair, Nails, and Pet Fur?
Hair and fur collected from your hairbrush or while grooming your pet can go in your brown bin as compost materials (rather than the toilet, which is never a good idea!). The same applies to nail clippings.
However, for the decomposition process to work effectively, they must be free of any chemicals. Dyed hair, painted nails, or any other treated items can interfere with the natural decomposition process and may even harm the beneficial organisms involved. And remember, pet waste should never be added to your compost bin. Everything needs to be natural!
Can You Compost Your Cat’s Biodegradable Litter?
Yes, you can! Some municipalities accept biodegradable litter (emphasis on biodegradable here!), but not all.
For instance, the City of Montreal2 specifies that pet waste and litter, even certified biodegradable ones, are not allowed. On the other hand, the City of Trois-Rivières3 includes them on its list of accepted materials.
The best way to find out what your municipality allows? Check its website for the most accurate information, as some composting facilities may accept these items based on their composting method.
And what about home composting? Since your cat’s waste can contain bacteria harmful to humans, cat litter should not be used in compost destined for edible plants, vegetable gardens, or areas near water sources. This is particularly true for cold composting, as the biological process may not reach temperatures high enough to kill pathogens that could spread plant disease.
However, you can use it as fertilizer for non-edible plants! The best tip to avoid contamination: keep your cat’s litter in its own container and wait until the waste is fully decomposed before using it as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers.
Can You Compost Cascades Tuff® Paper Towels?
Moist materials, which help control odours and keep compost piles balanced, are compostable—this means that our Cascades Tuff® paper towels are compostable too!
Enviro and Econo have all received certification from the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA), confirming that they meet the highest standards for municipal composting. Most cities now accept them for composting, highlighting the practical benefits of composting in reducing waste and enriching soil.
That means if you haven’t used them to clean up chemicals, there’s a good chance your brown bin (but not your home composter!) can handle them while keeping your compost moist and effective.
Check with your municipality to see if they accept these materials for collection.
Can You Compost Greasy Pizza Boxes?
Unless they contain something other than food, like household or toxic products, soiled paper and cardboard—a common material found in composting bins—can go in municipal compost. However, before placing them in your bin, make sure they’re not waxed or plastic-coated.
Is the lid still clean? If so, cut it off and put it in the recycling bin so it can be properly processed. Composting facilities are equipped to handle the soiled parts of your pizza box, while the clean parts are better suited for recycling. To summarize: the soiled parts of your pizza box go to the municipal compost, while the parts that are not soiled, or only slightly soiled, are intended for recycling.
Can You Compost Egg shells and Nutshells?
Both of these are compostable, but nutshells take much longer to break down in compost piles. For home composting, breaking them into smaller pieces can help speed up the process, especially when mixed with kitchen scraps or other wet materials.
For municipal brown bins, dry materials like eggshells can be added as they are.
Bonus tip: Crushed eggshells, much like baking soda, can help absorb odours and balance the pH of your compost, supporting healthier compost piles and contributing to nutrient-rich soil for food production. A small but valuable advantage, don’t you think?
Can You Compost Old Wool Socks with Holes?
Theoretically, organic fabrics like linen, wool, and cotton that don’t contain chemical dyes or synthetic fibers are biodegradable. But… in practice, they take so long to break down that they aren’t suitable for composting processes or compost piles.
When it comes to clothing, it’s better to pass along items that no longer fit or repurpose old fabrics into cleaning rags.
Can You Compost Leftover Ribs?
Contrary to popular belief, all food scraps, including meat, are accepted in brown bins. Bones, fat, skin—everything! This makes municipal composting an effective way to handle food waste that might otherwise end up in landfills.
However, if you’re composting at home, the common belief holds true: meat leftovers cannot be composted.
The same goes for dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)—it’s a yes for municipal composting but a no for home composting.
Can You Compost Dryer Lint?
Don’t be fooled: because not all materials that end up in dryer lint are compostable, your lint belongs in the garbage, not the brown bin. The same goes for the contents of your vacuum bags.
Can You Compost Fireplace Ash?
Both fireplace ash and garden waste, like branches, wood shavings, and dead leaves, can be composted through municipal composting but not home composting.
Yes, you can add campfire ash and dead leaves to your brown bin after letting them cool for about seven days.
But be careful! Only cooled ash from untreated wood is accepted. Do not include charcoal ash from barbecues or cigarette ashes.
Can You Compost Certified Compostable Utensils and Cutlery?
Despite what is written on some utensils and cutlery made from compostable plastic, PLA, corn starch, or biodegradable plastic, certified compostable utensils and cutlery are not accepted in most municipal4 brown bins.
That’s right! Because they take a long time to break down, they’re not suitable for the active composting methods used in municipal facilities. Unlike paper products, which decompose more quickly, these utensils require conditions similar to those needed for breaking down glossy paper, making them unsuitable for most composting platforms.
The best solution for the environment is still to avoid single-use packaging altogether—even if it’s labeled “compostable.”
In Summary…
Wondering if a specific item can be composted in your municipality, particularly when it comes to the collection of organic materials?
Download the “Ça va où?” app from RECYC-QUÉBEC for more information on organic waste collection. At the same time, feel free to visit our blog to satisfy your curiosity about topics like the three pillars of sustainable development or the circular economy!
Sources:
- Québec sans gaspillage https://compost.recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/#le-processus.
- « Get details about food waste collections », City of Montreal. https://montreal.ca/en/how-to/get-details-about-food-waste-collections?arrondissement=MHM
- « Les matières acceptées et refusées », Ville de Trois-Rivières. https://www.v3r.net/services-a-la-population/collectes/compostage/les-matieres-acceptees-et-refusees#quelles-sont-les-matieres-acceptees-et-refusees
- « Des emballages compostables rarement compostés », Pascale Harrison-Julien, Radio-Canada, 17 juin 2021. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1802194/compost-emballages-montreal-poubelle-restaurants-commandes