If you’ve ever hovered over your compost bin wondering, “Wait… can I compost this?” you’re not alone. Most people know a little bit about the composting basics: food scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings. Don’t forget about the everyday items you use without thinking, including paper towels, napkins, tea bags, and greasy pizza boxes.

At Matter, we believe composting isn’t just about the obvious items. Changing the way we think about waste and understanding that much of what we use daily can return to the earth safely and naturally. In this blog, we’re busting common composting myths and revealing some of the most surprising compostable materials hiding in your home.

Paper Towels and Napkins: Yes, Even the Greasy Ones

Good news: most unbleached paper towels and napkins are totally compostable. They’re made from paper fibers, natural plant material that breaks down just like leaves or cardboard. The only time to skip them is if they’ve been used with harsh cleaners or chemicals. Towels used for food messes, grease, or coffee spills are fine because they add carbon, or “browns,” which balance the nitrogen-rich “greens” like food scraps in your compost.

In order to make composting easier, keep a small “paper only” bin in your kitchen for napkins and towels used for wiping hands or spills. You’ll be surprised how quickly they pile up, and how much less waste goes in your trash can.

Pizza Boxes: Grease and All

One of the biggest composting myths is that you can’t compost greasy pizza boxes. In fact, while greasy cardboard can’t be recycled, it can be composted. Cardboard is a great source of carbon, and the small amount of food residue actually helps feed the compost microbes.

Composting a pizza box is easy, just tear it into smaller pieces, remove any plastic liners or stickers, and mix it into your compost with wetter materials like fruit and veggie scraps. This balance keeps your compost healthy and active.

Tea Bags and Coffee Filters: Check the Label

Most of the time, both tea bags and coffee filters are compost-friendly. The key is to avoid plastic-based or “silky” tea bags that contain synthetic mesh. If your tea bag feels slippery, it likely contains plastic and should go in the trash instead. Paper tea bags, loose-leaf tea, and coffee filters all compost easily.

Don’t forget the coffee grounds! They’re nitrogen-rich, meaning they help heat your compost pile and speed up decomposition.

Wooden Utensils, Chopsticks, and Toothpicks

If it came from a tree, it can go back to the soil. Plain, untreated wooden utensils, such as bamboo chopsticks and popsicle sticks, will all break down naturally. Snap them into smaller pieces to help them compost faster, and avoid anything coated in paint, varnish, or plastic.

Paper Plates and Bowls (the Right Kind)

Not all paper plates are created equal. Shiny or coated plates contain plastic that won’t break down. Plant-fiber-based, uncoated or certified compostable plates are typically home or industrial compost safe.

Matter’s compostable plates, cups, and bowls are made from renewable plant materials and are designed to break down completely, leaving behind nutrient-rich soil. After your picnic or takeout meal, just remove any plastic or non-compostable items and toss the rest in your compost.

Paper Bags, Receipts, and Junk Mail

Paper grocery bags and plain brown paper are 100% compostable and can even help aerate your pile when shredded into smaller pieces. Be cautious with receipts; most are printed on thermal paper, which contains BPA or BPS and should not be composted. The same goes for glossy flyers or coated paper mailers.

Hair, Pet Fur, and Nail Clippings (Yes, Really)

Here’s a weird but wonderful compost tip: human hair, pet fur, and even nail clippings (as long as they’re natural) can all be composted. Hair and fur are nitrogen-rich and help retain moisture in your compost pile. Mix them well with other materials to prevent clumping and watch them slowly return to the soil. It might feel strange the first time you add hair from your brush or fur from your pet’s grooming session, but it’s a surprisingly effective and sustainable way to keep waste out of the trash.

Cotton Balls, Pads, and Natural Fabrics

Cotton, linen, and hemp fabrics are made from plants, which means they’re naturally compostable, but only if they’re 100% natural. Cut up old cotton t-shirts or towels, toss in used cotton pads as long as they’re not soaked in nail polish remover or harsh chemicals.

Skip synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and microfiber, which release microplastics. Composting natural textiles gives them a second life and keeps harmful materials out of the waste stream.

Cardboard Egg Cartons and Toilet Paper Rolls

These humble household items are composting all-stars. They’re dry, fibrous, and packed with carbon, exactly what your compost pile needs to balance out food waste. Tear or shred them before adding them to help improve airflow and structure. The result is a lighter, fluffier compost pile that breaks down more efficiently.

The Oddballs: Wine Corks, Popcorn, and Pencil Shavings

When it comes to composting, creativity counts. Natural cork wine stoppers can go in the compost, just make sure they are real cork and not made from plastic. Stale popcorn is perfectly compostable too; it’s just corn! Pencil shavings are another great addition, as long as they’re made from untreated wood.

The Compost Rule of Thumb

When in doubt, ask yourself two questions: Was this item once alive? Does it contain plastic, metal, or chemicals? If the answer is “yes” to the first and “no” to the second, it probably belongs in your compost. You can also look for the Certified Compostable label on packaging and utensils. This label ensures that the product meets industry standards and breaks down safely without leaving microplastics behind.

Why Composting Matters

Every item you compost keeps organic matter out of landfills, where it would otherwise release methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting not only reduces waste; it replenishes soil health, restores ecosystems, filters water, and supports local agriculture. Choosing compostable products like Matter’s plant-based cups, plates, and bags helps close the loop, transforming everyday waste into resources that nourish the planet.

Composting Is Progress, Not Perfection

Composting isn’t about perfection; it’s about participation. Every napkin, tea bag, or paper towel that ends up in your compost is a small act of hope, a reminder that waste is only waste when we forget its potential. So the next time you’re holding something and wondering, “Can I compost this?” the answer might surprise you. 

Ready to take your composting game to the next level? Explore our line of certified compostable products and everyday planet-positive tips at Makeitmatter.com. Together, we can make composting second nature.