Can you compost chicken skin?
Olivia Hensley
Updated on February 24, 2026
Although you can compost any organic material, you should not put animal products, including meat, bones, dairy and eggshells, into your compost bins. This is not because they will not decompose and compost, but because of safety issues with these materials.
Why should you not put meat in compost?
Why Can't I Put Meat In Compost? Putting meat in compost is a food safety risk. Decomposing flesh stinks, attracting disease-spreading pests like rats and flies to your garden. Raw and cooked meat can also contain harmful bacteria, which could spread through your compost and later contaminate your crops.What should you not put in compost?
7 Things You Shouldn't Compost
- MEAT & MILK PRODUCTS. While meat and dairy products are perfectly biodegradable, they can attract unwanted pests to your backyard or green bin. ...
- BAKED GOODS. ...
- TREATED SAWDUST. ...
- HIGHLY ACIDIC FOODS. ...
- OILS & GREASY FOOD. ...
- PET & HUMAN waste. ...
- WEEDS.