Your composting questions answered
We frequently talk to individuals trying to reduce waste, businesses transitioning to sustainable practices and consumers confused by greenwashing. Here’s a quick guide answering some of the common questions we get asked about composting and compostable products.
How/where can I compost?
There are three main composting streams in Aotearoa:
1. Composting at home: suitable for almost anyone in any property as you can have a large holding bay in a big backyard, a compost tumbler in a courtyard, a worm farm on your balcony, or even a bokashi bin indoors.
2. Kerbside collection: currently 12 of New Zealand’s 67 local councils operate kerbside food scrap collection—with most others planning to follow suit. Check your local authority’s website to see if you’re in an urban area where this service is provided.
3. Commercial compost collection: suitable for businesses wishing to divert food waste, compostable packaging, organic materials, and green waste from landfill. Companies such as Green Gorilla, Reclaim, Rubbish Direct, and Ecostock are working in this space.
What can I put in my compost bin?
You can compost most organic materials. Green materials (rich in nitrogen) include fruit/vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings. Brown materials (rich in carbon) include leaves, paper, cardboard, and wood chips. Avoid meat, dairy, oily foods, and pet waste in home compost bins.
What’s the difference between green and brown materials?
“Green” materials are wet and nitrogen-rich (e.g., food scraps, lawn clippings), while “brown” materials are dry and carbon-rich (e.g., dry leaves, cardboard). A balanced mix (roughly 2–3 parts brown to 1 part green) is key for healthy compost.
How long does composting take?
Composting can take from 1–6 months depending on temperature, feedstock (the mix of materials added), moisture, and aeration. Hot composting systems work faster than cold/passive piles. And commercial operators are much more proficient at breaking waste down than home composters.
Why does my compost smell bad?
Foul odours usually mean too much green material or poor aeration. Add more browns and turn the pile to introduce oxygen. You can also try adding a sprinkle of baking soda (not too much as you don’t want to disrupt the microbes at work) to neutralise smells. Keep you compost contributions in a benchtop caddy that has a filtered vents.
How do I know when my compost is ready?
Finished compost looks like dark, crumbly soil and smells earthy. You shouldn’t recognise any original food, packaging bits, or yard waste.
Can I compost meat, dairy, or cooked food?
Not in a typical backyard bin—they attract pests and decompose slowly. Industrial composting systems can handle them.
What’s the best composting method for small spaces or apartments?
Try indoor composting with worm bins (vermicomposting) or bokashi systems, which ferment waste in airtight containers.
Can I compost pet poop?
You can compost pet poop (and our Ecopack Compostable Poop Bags) but just make sure you do so in a specialised compost that’s not intended for use on edible plants or trees. See our previous blog for more information: A step-by-step guide to building your own backyard dog poop composter.
Can I compost nappies?
Not in most home compost systems but you can now find single-use compostable nappies on the market, which are designed to be disposed in specialised commercial composting environments. Take a look at Little and Brave who manufacture disposable compostable nappies and operate a commercial composting facility to deal with them.
Do compostable items break down in a landfill?
Eventually, but compostable products are better suited to break down in a compost environment from which we can reap the benefit. Landfills are intentionally kept cool and dry (the opposite of composting conditions) to inhibit microbial activity and slow down decomposition, which helps reduce landfill gasses such as methane and minimise leachate generation.
How can I avoid attracting rats and flies to my compost?
Opps sounds like you’re unintentionally providing a nice warm sheltered feeding station! Stick to fruit and veggie scraps; avoid adding bread, cooked foods, dairy products, fish, meat, fats or processed foods. If food waste is exposed or too wet it may attract pests. Keep a good brown-to-green balance, bury food scraps, and use pest-proof containers.
What are the benefits of composting?
It reduces landfill, enriches soil with nutrients and beneficial microbes, helps grow healthy plants with less need for chemical fertilisers, and promotes a circular economy.
What’s the difference between “biodegradable” and “compostable”?
"Biodegradable" means a product breaks down eventually—but not necessarily safely or quickly. "Compostable" means it breaks down into non-toxic components under composting conditions within a specific timeframe.
Tip: Always look for trusted and relevant certification marks. And ensure you’re buying products certified for home composting (not those that need to be commercially composted to break down).
Ecopack compostable bin liners, compostable courier bags, compostable food care products, and compostable poop bags are certified to the Australasian Bioplastics Association Home Composting Standard (in addition to their Commercial Composting Standard).
Can compostable plastics go in my backyard compost?
Only if they are certified home compostable. Ecopack compostable products are suitable for backyard composting (see above) but many other brands aren’t. Our compostable products are designed to break down in 90 – 180 days depending on your compost environment.
How can I tell if a product is genuinely home compostable?
Look for trusted and relevant certification marks—and don’t be mislead by vague claims like “eco-friendly”. In this part of the world, you should be looking for products that meet the Australasian Bioplastics Association Home Composting Standard.
Why do some compostable items not break down in my compost pile?
Products such as coffee cups and cutlery may be labelled “compostable” but are only designed for industrial composting, not backyard systems. These sturdy compostable bioplastics need high heat and airflow to break down.
Can I mix compostable products with food waste collection?
Usually, but every commercial composter has different criteria for their feedstock (which means the types of waste they’ll accept). So, check with your local food waste collection what’s allowed.
Are compostable bags better than degradable or recycled ones?
We believe that compostable is the gold standard so long as it’s certified and composted properly. Otherwise, recycled is a great option if it’s intended for general waste. It all comes down to how you are going to use and dispose of it! Degradable is no longer considered eco-friendly (and you won’t find any Ecopack products made from this material) as it breaks down into microplastics and contributes to the plastic problem.
What plastic products have compostable alternatives?
There are lots of compostable products around—but remember you want to choose a reputable brand (like Ecopack!) to ensure they’re properly tested, traceable, and certified. Compostable products currently available within the Ecopack range includes:
• Compostable bin liners
• Compostable courier bags
• Compostable food bags
• Compostable cling wrap
• Compostable dog poop bags
• Compostable retail bags
• Compostable food service packaging
Happy composting!