There’s a lot of confusion about what you can and cannot compost. It’s obvious that you can put stuff like grass on a compost heap – everybody does that. But what about the other stuff, the contentious “should-I-shouldn’t-I” materials which some people insist are beneficial but which are shunned completely by others?

Here’s a fairly decent list of what you should and shouldn’t put on your compost heap. Obviously it isn’t extensive, and you’d be better off following the instructions on the packaging if you’re unsure. But these are the main ones which people get wrong or are unclear about, as well as the “must-haves” for any self-respecting compost heap. We’ve listed the Good, the Bad, and the Alright.

The Good

Grass cuttings. This is why it’s worth keeping your compost heap near your lawn, and somewhere you can get to with the bag from your mower. It’s worth having a brief check through the cuttings in case you’ve got bits of tennis ball mixed up in there.

Vegetable peelings. You can’t go wrong with vegetable peelings, provided they aren’t diseased. Whenever you peel a vegetable, put the peelings in a tub and remember to take it to the compost heap when you next go outside. Saves on bin space as well.

Bits of fruit. As above, you can’t go far wrong. The only problems arise if a seed from a fruit decides to germinate in your compost heap, or in the bed where you spread the compost. This is quite a nice problem to have though, and you can always replant the errant sprout.

Young weeds. Just because it’s a weed doesn’t mean you can’t put it on the compost heap. It pays to be cautious though – if you have a bonfire, you should burn anything that has gone to seed or that has a long, distinctive root.

Old flowers. Ornamental flowers are grown in heated greenhouses then flown around the world for the sake of pointless consumerism. Despite their environmental footprint, people insist on sending and decorating their homes with them. When they’re past their best, throw them on the heap and introduce them to the natural cycle.

Urine. Yep, you can happily relieve yourself in this manner on a compost heap. It can be very beneficial for the composting process. Unlike faeces (which should NEVER be added to a compost heap) it’s a fairly safe substance. Tell your male guests when you have a barbecue or garden party.

Tea bags and coffee grounds. These are a welcome addition to a compost heap as they break down fairly quickly and can introduce good chemicals to the soil. Although tea bags contain a fabric, it’s so thin that it withers away to nothing in a matter of months.

The Bad

Faeces. Any sort of poo, whether human or animal, will be bad or even dangerous for your compost heap. Poo carries lots of dangerous parasites which can be especially harmful to children, so make sure no solid excrement finds its way into your compost heap.

Cooked veg. This isn’t a good idea either, so check what sort of food waste you’re throwing onto the heap. Try to make sure it’s only raw veg that you include in your composting.

Plastics or metals. This should be obvious, but remember that plastic appears in a lot of packaging these days. Make sure you sift through everything carefully in order to prevent rogue sharps from entering your precious compost!

Dairy products. That means no milk or cheese. While goats milk might not count as ‘dairy’ for your diet, it does for compost. So don’t be throwing any sort of cheese or milk or butter onto your compost heap, no matter what animal it comes from.

Weeds with seeds. When weeds have seeds on them, they’re dangerous to your compost heap. Why? Because the seeds will effectively be sewn and will crop up in your vegetable patch, or wherever you spread your compost.

Meat. Never throw meat onto your compost heap. Apart from the fact it decomposes slowly and stinks as it does so, it attracts all manner of vermin to the area. Everything from rats to foxes to stray dogs might suddenly take an interest in your garden – and you really don’t want that.

The Mediocre

Eggboxes. Normally you can find a better use for eggboxes. Storage of eggs, for example. Check to see if your local farm shop would like some extra eggboxes, but if you can’t get rid of them whole then rip them up and throw them on the heap.

Paper and cardboard. These rot slowly but provide the compost heap with much-needed air pockets. When they do eventually mulch, you may see flakes of yet-to-decompose corrugated card from time to time.

Sawdust. This is wood, so don’t expect quick results, and remember it’ll blow all over the place when you tip it onto the heap. Avoid sawdust from wood which has been treated. Creosote is very bad for the earth.

Ash. This can be very good for the soil’s acidity level, and providing you haven’t been burning anything made of plastic or toxic (which you shouldn’t be anyway!) then it’s good to go on the compost heap. Check for random bits of metal which seem to find their way into ash.

Twigs. You can put fairly large bits of twig and stick into your compost heap. It doesn’t matter whether they’re old or new, but if they’re freshly cut you might as well save them for use on a log fire or give them to somebody with a wood-burning stove.

Susan Black writes on behalf of Sofas and Sectionals, a leading provider of leather furniture in the US. This original article on composting tips was written for us at no cost.