Photo Credit: “s e c l u d e d” by Jesse Wright

Compost is organic material that decomposes, enriching soil and creating a stable material with a content called humus that is dark brown or black and has a soil-like, earthy smell. Composting helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better, allows you to make your own cheap fertilizer and reduce waste.

Here’s 10 things you may be surprised to find are compostable.

* Cardboard rolls
* Clean paper
* Cotton rags
* Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
* Fireplace ashes
* Hair and fur
* Nut shells
* Shredded newspaper
* Tea bags
* Wool rags

Src: epa.gov/epawaste