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Compost Guide for the Holidays

It’s cool to compost, especially if you have lots of uncooked fresh fruit and veggie scraps left over from your holiday feast.

Meat

If you have a lot of protein leftover, you can freeze most meats for 1-2 months. Don’t put meat in the compost pile. It attracts four, six and eight leggedunwanted neighbors.

Drippings

Use drippings to make gravy. Or, pour them into a non-recyclable container and toss in the trash. Never pour them down the drain! That increases the likelihood of nasty sewer backups.

Poultry Carcasses

Use the carcass to make broth for soups and other yummy things. NEVER toss the carcass into the compost pile or give it to your pets.

Side dishes

All parts of uncooked sweet potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, green beans, brussels sprouts, potatoes, squash, lettuce, spinach, apples, pears, oranges, cranberries, or any other fresh fruits and veggies that make your dinner special can go right into your compost pile. The same goes for any veggies that were steamed. Veggies that were cooked with vegetable or animal fat (including butter and olive oil) go into the trash.

Desserts

All parts of uncooked fresh fruit and pecan shells can go into the compost pile. But leftover desserts (gasp!) with dairy or fats go into the trash.

Enjoy the holidays — and be kind to your neighbors, community and the earth with benevolent composting.

Picture of Dana Nichols
Dana Nichols
As conservation manager at SAWS, Dana spent her days promoting beautiful San Antonio landscapes that need little to no water while benefiting Texas wildlife. While she’s no longer whipping up new landscape programs, she’s still cooking up delicious dinners made with fresh herbs from her low-water-use garden or planning the next trip with her husband, Rick -- preferably to some exotic place that requires a passport.
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