Is this ok to add to the compost pile (Bin) ?

I would like to see a list (kept at the top - sticky) in the form of, (ie):


Material -------------------------------- compost Yes--------- compost No
Coffee Grounds ----------------------------X
Rats ------------------------------------------------------------------------ X




Anyone else think this would be benefical?

It could be helpful, but there should be a "maybe" option as well, as there are differing opinions on substances such as doggy poo.

See, I already disagree with the list, because you can compost rats.


Things you cannot compost: plastic, metal (though some will rust off eventually), rocks, polyester, styrofoam

Things that will decompose, but you probably should not compost: treated lumber, your MIL, oil, gas, charcoal briquets...

ah, but some "plastic" bags and tableware are made from cornstarch and is biodegradable.

While it is true that you can compost Rats, in general meat, cooking oil etc. is not recommended because these materials tend to attract vermen (such as More Rats). I have been adding my coffee grounds for some time but am woundering about spent tea bags? the used tea should be no problem - but will the bags break down ok?

The bags are just paper... so , yes... throw the entire thing in.... after removing the staple. That goes in the "no" section.

";-)

Tammie

If you need to compost meat or dairy products, you may want to use the Bokashi composting method from Japan. This process uses certain beneficial microbes in an anaerobic process that sort of pickles the compost material over a two week time frame. This is then buried in the soil to finish for another two weeks to a month.


http://www.bokashi.com.au/Bokashi-Instructions.htm
http://www.scdworld.com/shop/product.cfm?product_id=030203
http://www.cityfarmer.org/bokashi.html

We have a biostack, bokashi system and wriggly ranch worm bin to cover all bases.

Thank you for the links and info!

I bought a litre of the Essential Microbes and have been using the activated EM for a variety of purposes around the home and garden. When I find a microbiological experiment accidently growing on a forgotten item in the fridge, I spritz it with AEM and feed it to the worms. They truly appreciate a fine, vintage slime mould.