Can tumble dryer lint go in your worm bin?
Tumble dryer lint can go in the worm bin, but falls into the ‘with caution’ category and only under very strict conditions. Lint is a mixture of fibres released during the drying of clothes. Unless you exclusively wash clothes made of 100% natural fibres (such as cotton, linen, wool, silk, hemp) which are also untreated and without synthetic dyes, your tumble dryer lint will contain synthetic fibres (microplastics), synthetic dyes, and residues from detergents or fabric softeners. These substances do not break down in a worm bin, are harmful to worms, and permanently contaminate your compost with microplastics. Only lint from guaranteed 100% natural, untreated fibres is suitable, and this is difficult to guarantee in practice for most households.
How much tumble dryer lint can you add?
Only add tumble dryer lint if you are absolutely certain of its 100% natural, untreated, and chemical-free composition, and even then, only in small quantities. For most households, the safest answer is: none. The risk of contamination with microplastics and chemicals is too high. If you are certain of the origin of the lint (for example, from a wash of only untreated organic cotton cloths, washed with a natural, unscented detergent), then add a small clump, well mixed through the waste and bedding in your Bonter.
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What to do instead? Alternatives & waste management
Due to the high risk of contamination with microplastics and chemicals, tumble dryer lint from most households is not suitable for the Bonter or a traditional compost heap. The most responsible option for tumble dryer lint from an average household is to dispose of it with residual waste. This prevents the spread of microplastics into the environment through compost. Only lint from guaranteed pure, untreated natural textiles can be composted with extreme caution in very small quantities.
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Tips for composting tumble dryer lint
Be extremely critical about the origin of tumble dryer lint. Only consider it if you are absolutely certain that you have exclusively washed 100% natural, untreated fibres without chemical detergents or fabric softeners. This is unrealistic for most households. In that rare case, add a minimal amount, well mixed throughout the bin. For all other tumble dryer lint: dispose of it with residual waste to prevent microplastic contamination of your compost. The Bonter’s air filter helps with odours, but microplastics remain permanently in your compost.
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Frequently asked questions about composting tumble dryer lint
Can tumble dryer lint go in the worm bin?
Why can't lint from synthetic fabrics go in the bin?
How do I know if my lint is 100% natural?
Can residues from detergent or fabric softener in lint be a problem?
What is the best destination for tumble dryer lint?
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