Not Toilet Paper Rolls: The Common Hygiene Staple You Should Compost

When you think of composting, your mind probably goes to compostable kitchen scraps: things like banana peels, the ends of veggies, and coffee grounds. But you may want to look in another room of the house for additional compost material. If you use cotton pads or cotton balls, they may be compostable, as long as they meet a few requirements.

First, it's important that the cotton pads are made from 100 percent cotton. Like leaf mulch, unbleached paper, and cardboard, cotton is considered a "brown" material that gives your compost pile a serious boost. However, some cotton pad manufacturers combine the cotton with a synthetic fiber, like polyester, which won't biodegrade. The polyester is woven into a mesh that keeps the cotton pad from falling apart during use. If you're not sure if your cotton pads contain polyester, get one wet and pull it apart. If it doesn't shred like a cotton ball, or if you see a shiny film, you've found the polyester mesh. The good news is that if this layer is easily removable, you can safely compost the cotton portion.

How you used the cotton pad can also determine whether it's safe to compost or must be trashed. If you used it to remove makeup or nail polish, the cotton has absorbed chemicals that shouldn't go into your compost. Gentle, organic toners like witch hazel or micellar water are okay because they won't interfere with the composting process.

To effectively break down in a compost bin, your cotton pads will need a little prep. Cut or shred the pad into smaller pieces and get it wet. Remove the polyester mesh layer, if present. Following these steps will help cotton pads break down faster compared to composting them whole. Expect them to break down in about 6 to 10 weeks in home compost bins.

Reusable cotton rounds can also be composted, as long as they follow the same rules regarding what they're made from and how you used them. It's okay to compost them if they contain other natural fibers, like bamboo. To be on the safe side, snip and pull out any thread, which is often polyester. Cotton and paper Q-tips can also be safely composted. As for the kind of cotton pads used for menstruation, those should be disposed of in the trash. While 100 percent cotton tampons are a personal care bathroom staple you can add to compost, the process of safely composting them is far more involved than simply tossing them in your bin, and municipal composting programs won't take them due to the risk of spreading pathogens.