We compost in our house. Not only does it cut down on the amount of garbage you throw away, it makes for some wonderful soil nutrients to add to your garden. If you've ever had to buy compost at a garden center, you know how expensive it can be. If you compost, it's free!
We've been composting for about 4 years now. I am so in the habit of composting, I feel strange if I'm not at home and have to throw out a fruit peel! I recently read an article about what not to compost, and a few things really surprised me. We knew not to compost things with oil or butter in them, no meats or dairy items, and no human or animal waste (duh!). Here are the things that surprised me:
Bread Products
All bread products, including cakes, pasta, and baked goods, shouldn’t go into the pile because they can attract pests.
Rice
Cooked rice can breed dangerous bacteria, and raw rice can attract rodents and insects.
Walnuts
Most nuts are okay, but walnuts contain a compound called juglone which is toxic to some plants.
Acidic Items
A few things that fall into this category are citrus fruits, tomato products, and pickles. The acid can actually kill the good bacteria that your compost grows.
If you want to read the full article on what not to compost, it can be found here:
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/ecomii_healthy_living/147/11-items-not-to-compost.html;_ylt=Ams5tdi0tpckhyoUsFf183yAV8cX
