Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Hi folks -- I have a question about composting. I know we're told not to put anything fatty/oily in the compost. However, I'm wondering if that still applies when the oil in question is a vegetable oil. I was thinking that since we are following a vegan diet, totally plant-based, *all* of our food scraps could be composted. Does anyone know for sure? Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Fats/Oils will break down in a compost bin but they tend to smell bad as they do- that's why it's discouraged. I wouldn't put a large quantity of liquid oil in a compost bin but occasionally putting in some fatty veg foods like some old tortilla chips that were fried in oil won't cause a problem- at least we haven't had a problem. High salt foods are usually discouraged too - but again the occasional salty snack like pretzels or whatever thrown in is no big deal. If you are worm composting, the high fat and salt is more critical and if it's an indoor worm bin- the smell from a high fat item could be more noticeable. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Yep, no oils. It goes rancid and attracts rats, etc. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I believe that all vegetable oils are fine. I did a search for it online and found a few references, and the ones that say no oil say no animal fats or things like actual butter. So, yeah, basically no animal fats or non-vegetable oils. I know we have put our used vegetable oil in ours. I burry it, because we do have rats/squirrles/racoons/possoms/stray cats that would probably hang out more if we didn't burry our compost additions. Missie On Feb 4, 2008 9:44 AM, Heather <hlh4850 wrote: > Hi folks -- I have a question about composting. I know we're told not to > > put anything fatty/oily in the compost. However, I'm wondering if that > still applies when the oil in question is a vegetable oil. I was > thinking that since we are following a vegan diet, totally plant-based, > *all* of our food scraps could be composted. > > Does anyone know for sure? > Heather > > -- http://mszzzi.zoomshare.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/mszzzi/ ~~~~~(m-.-)m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I've never had a problem with any oils - like on veggies or something. Found this " do not compost " on a link: " Meat, fish, dairy produce, fat, egg, bread, cake, biscuits, pastry and things containing these; they rot and attract vermin. " We also have quite a large outside compost bin that stands off the ground and has a tight fitting lid that keeps the raccoons and rats out (though not a lot of rats around with the cats). So if you have something not as secure, too much vegetable oil might still attract the critters. Phyllis , Heather <hlh4850 wrote: > > Hi folks -- I have a question about composting. I know we're told not to > put anything fatty/oily in the compost. However, I'm wondering if that > still applies when the oil in question is a vegetable oil. I was > thinking that since we are following a vegan diet, totally plant- based, > *all* of our food scraps could be composted. > > Does anyone know for sure? > Heather > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.