Compostable
If you’re looking for more ways to reduce your carbon footprint, you’re not alone. These days, many people are especially interested in limiting the amount of waste they produce on a daily basis. Recycling is one piece of the puzzle, and then there’s composting, a practice that can be a little confusing. You might not realize how certain items that land in your everyday trash could actually be composted—and do the earth a lot of good in the process. If you want to take a greener approach at home, these compostable brands and waste-reduction tips will help you take the next step.
What Does Compostable Mean?
Compostable items are not only biodegradable—meaning they break down into carbon dioxide over time (typically over the course of three months)—but also have the added benefit of releasing valuable nutrients into the soil. These nutrients help plants and trees to grow without producing toxic residues.
Disposing of Compostable Products
To properly dispose of compostable products, they need to enter your city’s industrial composting facility, where they’ll take one month to three months to degrade. That means they should be disposed of in designated compost collection bins (aka the trash bins that are used for collecting organic matter, like leaves and branches). If your city does not provide composting bins, you can look into obtaining a home composter.
Another important note: Never put compostable items into your city’s recycling bins. Compostables are comprised of totally different materials than recyclables and may actually impair the recycling process.
Tips for Composting
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to composting is knowing what can and can’t go into the composting bin. Here’s a quick rundown of some compost-friendly items:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Loose leaf tea
- Paper bags (shredded)
- Egg cartons (cut up)
- Cooked pasta and rice
- Stale chips, cereal, and crackers
- Old oatmeal
- Spoiled tofu
- Used facial tissues
- Cardboard toilet paper tubes
- Paper documents (shredded)
- Newspapers (shredded)
- Old cotton clothing
- Paper napkins and towels
Top Brands with Compostable Products
Stock up on these compostable must-haves.
Yogi Tea
Inspired by the holistic teachings of Ayurveda and healthy living, this natural tea brand got its start in 1969 and has evolved into a wellness staple for tea lovers everywhere.
Honey Lavender Stress Relief Tea
Need a soothing respite from your busy day? A few sips of this comforting tea, made with a natural blend of organic chamomile, lavender, and passionflower extract, will help you chill out and enjoy a moment of calm.
Repurpose
Repurpose is on a mission to make sustainable tableware that looks out for you and the environment. From plates to cutlery and cups, everything in the renewable, compostable line is made from plants rather than plastics.
Hot Cups and Lids
Skip the coffee house cups in favor of this 100 percent compostable option, made with non-toxic, BPA-free materials and double-insulated so there’s no need for a cardboard sleeve.
Bee’s Wrap
Founded in 2012 by mother and farmer Sarah Kaeck, this Vermont-based brand offers a more sustainable alternative to plastic wrap for storing food—organic cotton wraps infused with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. The result is washable, reusable, and compostable.
Assorted Sandwich Wrap, 3-pack
It’s a wrap on disposable bags when you swap in these reusable, compostable cotton-and-beeswax sandwich wraps. Just warm the malleable covers with your hands to create a protective, moisture-proof seal around your lunch items.
Composting & Home Care Tips
Want more? Dig into the Thrive Market blog!
How to Compost
Learn even more about reducing your carbon footprint with our go-to guide to composting. We’ll go over how to make the most of your household waste each week by transforming it into homemade fertilizer.
DIY Laundry Tablets
Want a more natural approach to laundry? These easy DIY tablets will leave clothes and linens smelling fresh thanks to simple ingredients like laundry powder, lemon essential oil, and white vinegar.
Best Non-Toxic Home Cleaning Products
Spruce up your space and give it a deep clean without harsh chemicals with this handy list of our favorite non-toxic home cleaners. We cover pretty much everything, including kitchen cleaning agents, laundry detergents, bathroom disinfectants, and more.