My fellow composters, I must confess that my favorite source of browns is…used tissues. I know it can be a bit controversial, but I do so with pride. So proudly, in fact, that were you to use the bathroom in my home, you would find both a small trash can to the right of my toilet, and a paper bag full of brown material for my compost to the left.
Did my partner or I blow our noses with a (lotion free)
tissue? Into the compost bag.
Did he wipe up a bit of saline solution from the sink with a
scrap of TP after putting in his contacts? Into the compost bag.
Composting your bathroom products may not be for the faint
of heart, but for those unphased or morbidly curious:
Let’s talk about hygiene!
Beyond used tissues (which it goes without saying that you
should wash your hands after touching), there are plenty of other “gross”
things that you can compost. While some may have moved to a reusable ear swab,
if you’re still working through a several hundred-unit $3 pack that you bought
several years ago (like me), take a moment to see what kind you have. If
they’re made from paper and cotton, be sure to compost after cleaning your
ears!
What about the aftermath of grooming? Whether yours or your pet’s, nail clippings and hair can both be composted (though be mindful when
considering the kinds of chemicals used in things like hair dye).
So, why are used tissues my favorite source of “brown
materials” for my compost? Because I’m not yet to the point of reusable
tissues, and wow, is it satisfying to take out my bathroom compost with my food
scraps. Now the materials I used to throw away have become part of creating
beautiful, rich, and ironically healthy, compost.
Compost Blogger: Emma Campbell
I've always attempted to put clean TP cardboard roll & plain paper towels in my compost. I have even used cardboard as garden cover/mulch. I don't use a composting toilet however, and if I did the detritus generated would not go into my garden - and I'd be hesitant to include it in my flower beds. The brown materials not contaminated with fecal waste or sick children's snot is fine in my compost pile. It breaks down nicely and I'm comfortable turning & shoveling it. I draw the line with sickly excretions eventually getting into the food I grow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this information. I'm not sure if I can bring myself to do it, but I'll try! Another paper product I've wondered about is parchment. I love using it when I roast my veggies. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes! You can compost parchment paper. I'd recommend being mindful of the amount of oil and grease that are on it, as too much oil or grease can negatively impact your backyard compost pile.
DeleteCan bacon grease be composted?
ReplyDeleteWe would not recommend composting bacon grease in your backyard compost. If you have access to commercial compost, they can sometimes accept this, but you should check their guidelines first.
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