Can peppers go in your worm bin?
Yes, pepper scraps, particularly from mild varieties and in very small quantities, can go in your Bonter worm bin. However, peppers contain capsaicin (the substance that makes them spicy), which can be irritating to worms in higher concentrations. The peels of peppers can also be quite tough and break down slowly. Avoid hot peppers and add mild varieties only sparingly.
How much peppers can you add?
Add pepper scraps very sparingly to your Bonter. Think of just a few small pieces of seed rib or peel at a time, not with every feeding. Avoid adding many or very hot peppers. Mix pepper waste thoroughly with plenty of other, neutral food and a generous amount of dry bedding material. This helps dilute the spiciness and minimize the impact on the worms and the environment. Always observe how your bin reacts.
š Ready to start composting indoors? Discover Bonter One, our composter for city living.
What to do instead? Alternatives & waste management
Because peppers can go in the worm bin with great caution, alternatives for scraps are a good idea. Pepper scraps, such as seed ribs, can be used to make hot oil or vinegar, or dried and stored to add to dishes later. They can also go on an outdoor compost heap, where the amount of waste is larger and the impact of the capsaicin is less concentrated. Only discard scraps if reuse or composting in the Bonter (in moderation) is not an option.
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Tips for safe pepper composting
Cut pepper scraps as small as possible. This is especially important for the peel and the spicy seed ribs. Wear gloves if you are sensitive to capsaicin. Mix the pepper snippets with a large amount of other, non-spicy waste and plenty of dry bedding material. Bury the mix deep under the top layer. This helps spread the spiciness and any potential odor and prevents direct contact with the worms. The peel may remain visible longer. Your Bonter filters odors, but an excess of spicy material can locally still cause discomfort in the bin itself.
Iām Mats, founder of Bonter, and Iām on a mission to make indoor composting effortless, ensuring sustainability becomes second nature in your home.
Join 340+ early adopters
Frequently asked questions about composting peppers
Can hot peppers go in the worm bin?
Can pepper seeds go in?
Does the smell of peppers attract pests in the worm bin?
How quickly do peppers decompose in a worm bin?
Can the leaves and stems of the pepper plant also go in the worm bin?
Discover moreāØ
easy wins for your bin
See how effortlessly your vermicomposter handles common kitchen scraps. These items are favorites of your composting crew and simply transform waste into a valuable resource.
Strawberry
Apple
Bananas
Pears
Perfect for lush indoor plants, the garden, or sharing with the community.
Vegetables
From peels to stems, most vegetable scraps are a perfect meal for your composter.
Fruits
Cores, peels, and rinds provide the energy needed for a healthy, active system.
Household items
Coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells add valuable nutrients to your final compost.