Composting is a controlled, aerobic process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through natural decomposition. Composting involves minimal effort, equipment, expense, and expertise, and can be fun. Here are some items that can go into a compost bin:

• Grass clippings
• Tree leaves
• Vegetable food scraps (coffee grounds, lettuce, potato peels, banana peels, avocado skins, etc.)
• Black and white newspaper
• Printer paper
• Most disease-free yard waste
• Cardboard
• Vegetarian animal manure (e.g. cows, horses, rabbits, hamsters, etc.)
• Wood shavings or sawdust

Some items need more consideration before adding them to the compost bin:

• Citrus peels and onions: They can take longer to break down and may attract pests.
• Meat, fat (including butter and oil), dairy, and bones: They can carry the risk of disease and attract pests. It is best to avoid adding these items to the compost bin.
• Diseased yard waste: If plants in your yard become diseased and die, do not place them in the compost pile. Composting items like this will not kill the disease and will make it so they can be spread to other plants. It is best to burn or throw away diseased yard waste.

It is important to maintain a balance of carbon and nitrogen in the compost bin. The easiest compost recipe calls for blending roughly equal parts of green or nitrogen-rich materials with brown or carbon-rich materials. The key is to blend the feedstocks to achieve a balance of carbon and nitrogen, keep things damp but not saturated, and ensure adequate oxygen deep in the pile.