A
B
C
C-rated items
Below is a complete list of items that have earned a Vermicompost Score of C. By avoiding these, you prevent the most common composting problems. Click on any item to learn the specific reason why it is unsuitable for a worm bin.
Orange
Coconut
Household dust
Peppers
Glossy paper
Cigarette butts and ash
Meat, fish, and bones
Cooked food
Lime
White office paper
Oily food & sauces
Plastics
Sweet Corn
Nut shells
Mandarin
Onions
Salty or pickled foods
Lemon
Dog, cat waste
Chemicals
Cardboard with plastic coating
Charcoal ash
Dairy products
Metals, glass, ceramics
Earth, soil and root balls
Strongly spiced food
Grapefruit
Sick plants
A
B
C
Score A (Ideal)
A
B
C
Score B (In moderation)
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest risk of adding a C-rated item?
It depends on the item. Meat and dairy will cause strong foul odors and attract pests. Highly acidic citrus peels can harm your worms and disrupt the bin’s pH balance. Oily foods can coat the worms’ skin, preventing them from breathing.
I accidentally added something from this list. What should I do?
If it’s a small amount, don’t worry too much. You can try to remove the item if it’s easy to find. Otherwise, add a generous amount of fresh, dry ‘browns’ (like shredded cardboard) around it to help absorb excess moisture and odors, and monitor the bin.
Why can't I add citrus peels like lemon or lime?
Citrus peels contain d-limonene, a compound that is toxic to worms in high concentrations. They are also very acidic, which lowers the bin’s pH and creates an unhealthy environment for your worms.