Materials to Avoid When Composting

Unwanted Items

To ward off pests, vermin, potential garden infestations, and disease, avoid organic materials that could cause problems during or after composting including:

  • Cat or dog fecal matter
  • Dairy products
  • Diseased or insect-ridden plants
  • Fat
  • Fish
  • Grease
  • Lime
  • Meat
  • Oil
  • Unwashed egg shells
  • Weeds that are hard to kill (i.e., bindweed and quackgrass)
  • Weeds that have gone to seed
  • Wood ash (use sparingly)


Diseased Plant