What is ok to put in the compost bin?

[Mummywheel]

We are now the proud owners of our very own allotment. I would like to put as much kitchen food waste as I can in the compost bin. Please advise on what is safe to put in and what is not.

[Madlentileater]

'anything that once lived'
hence, paper (trees) OK, plastic (oil) not,
but, cooked food, dairy and meat will attract vermin (a polite word for....rats)

[Tangle]

don't put in tomatoe seeds - my inlaws say they had tomatoes everywhere until they learnt that one.

Any old clothes that are pure cotton can go in, well chopped up. Egg boxes are good.

Have a look here for more details

[DebitheScot]

don't put too many things like cherry stones in as they grow into trees before they compost. And mango stones don't compost very well either.

[Mummywheel]

Thanks all! Wasn't sure about egg shells and paper. I'll check out wiggly wigglers.

[mascarpone]

Also fluff out of the tumble dryer!!

Don't put meat in as it attracts vermin. Also, if you put lots of grass cuttings in, you need to layer it with paper and woody stuff (grass cuttings on their own don't compost well). And, don't put in perennial weeds (like dandelions) as they don't die, and will just spout up again when you put the compost on your garden.

Wiggly Wigglers is quite a good source of info.

[DebitheScot]

think cooked veg is ok as long as it hasn't been near any meat.

Also grass cuttings, small twigs, weeds (I know that's not kitchen waste but can go in)

[MuffinMclay]

also

coffee grounds
lots of shredded or ripped paper (about 50% of the contents)

[nell12]

tea bags, egg shells, ripped up cardboard, veg peelings,

Not sure whether you can put cooked veg in