We get quite a few questions asking if you can compost tea bags and coffee grounds in the HOTBIN. The answer is yes! There are also a number of other miscellaneous food or food related items that can be composted which we have included in the table below.
| Miscellaneous food items | Will it Decay | Cold
Compost | HOTBIN compost | Rate of decay in the HOTBIN | Comments |
| Bokashi digestate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Slow | |
| Coffee grounds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Medium | These have a large surface area, but are roasted which slows down their decomposition. |
| Compostable bags (e.g. starch bags) | Yes | Not Advised | Yes | Medium | Preferably shred these. They usually take between 1-3 months to decompose, but more than 2 years in by cold composting. |
| Cooked food | Yes | Not Advised | Yes | Fast | You can add these in hot composting bins but not in cold composting bins as it would attract rats and flies. |
| Fats and cooking oil | Yes | Not Advised | Yes | Medium | Small quantities are ok if mixed in well, but not large volumes such as half bottles. |
| Fish and chips leftovers | Yes | Not Advised | Yes | Fast | |
| Fish and chips box/paper | Yes | Not Advised | Yes | Medium | Card and compostable trays can be added - polystyrene cannot be added! |
| Frozen foods | Yes | Not Advised | No | Medium | Please defrost frozen food before adding it to the HOTBIN - adding it frozen transfers too much heat from the waste pile. |
| Left over curry | Yes | Not Advised | Yes | Fast | Ok to add, as long as there is not too much sauce. |
| Oil (palm, olive) | Yes | Not Advised | Not Advised | Medium | Small quantities are ok if mixed in well, but not large volumes such as half bottles. |
| Pizza boxes | Yes | Not Advised | Yes | Medium | Tear into small strips. |
| Tea bags | Yes | Yes | Yes | Medium | Some tea bags take longer to decompose than others - it depends on what the bag itself is made from. |
