Strange things you can compost

Composting is good for the environment because it reduces the size of landfills and reduces gas emmisions. Compost provides gardeners with a source of recycled, local, free food for their plants.

Most of us will also know that food scraps, grass clippings and other garden waste can be composted. But who knew you could compost dryer lint?

Not me or my four year old. Reading the children's book Compost Stew, by Mary McKenna Siddals, recently set of a flurry of composting experimentation at our house. We spent several afternoons creating potions to add to our backyard compost bin. Having previously not been one to clear the dryer lint filter until the clothes were starting to come out fluffy, we now have a permanently emptied dryer lint tray thanks to the vigilance of the four year old composting expert.

From Compost Stew we also learnt that human hair will compost. Other things that you may not have known you can compost include:

• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Eggshells (crushed is best)
• Masking tape
• Cotton clothing
• Toilet and handy towels and their rolls
• Bills, reciepts, old newspaper (shredded)

Put all or any of these in your compost bin, then "moisten. Toss Lightly. Cover. Let brew...."

Do you have anything weird that you have successfully composted?