If you are coloring Easter Eggs this year, you may already
be thinking about whether your painted, colored, or dyed eggshells can
go in your compost bin after all the fun and games are over.
Most of the time, the answer is yes! Eggshells
are egg-cellent for your compost pile. They provide much needed calcium,
which is an important nutrient for garden beds. They do take some time to break
down, so the smaller you can get the pieces, the better. If you have a mortar
and pestle for grinding, you can add them almost immediately to your finished
compost, or directly to your soil, as a soil additive.
Most dyes that you purchase in stores are food safe, made
with natural ingredients that will do no harm to your compost
pile. If you tend to paint your eggs instead of dye them, be mindful of what type of
paint you are using. Avoid latex or plastic based products if you intend to
compost the shells.
The cooked or raw
eggs themselves may not be as good of a fit for your compost pile, as they can
attract springtime critters and cause odors. If you can use these in meals, that is the best possible option! Make your favorite egg dish, or try this recipe for an egg and arugula salad!
If you don’t want to consume your easter eggs, you can try
another low waste option, like creating paper mâché eggs, with glue made from
flour and water, which would make your homemade easter egg compostable.
Have compost questions? Want to start a pile this year? Our
compost seminars are now open for registration.
Compost Blogger: Sam Plante
Comments
Post a Comment