Can You Compost Bread?

  • By: greenorb
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Time to read: 4 min.

We all know that composting is a great thing to do for the planet, and you might be looking for as much food as possible to throw into the compost heap. 

After all, that means less food in landfill sites and more compost to use on your garden. 

However, we also know that some things can’t be safely composted – so let’s find out “can you compost bread?”

You can compost bread, yes, and it is quite a good thing to add to your compost bin. 

It does have the potential to attract pests like rats, raccoons, and even bears, but it will break down in the compost just fine, and many people compost bread without any problem at all.

Can You Compost Bread?

Yes, you absolutely can compost bread. It is an organic and soft material, and it will break down pretty fast in the compost bin, especially when it starts absorbing moisture. 

The moisture will degrade the structure and start to wash the bread into smaller and smaller pieces.

These pieces will be eaten by bacteria and worms, further breaking them down until they turn into compost. 

If your compost bin is nice and warm, this process will happen much faster, but even in a relatively cold compost bin, bread will quickly turn into compost.

So, if you have a bag of bread that has gone stale or moldy or you aren’t going to eat, it’s no problem to add it to the compost bin.

What Are The Advantages Of Composting Bread?

You might be wondering whether bread is good for your compost bin, and it certainly can be. 

One of the advantages of adding dry bread is that it can help to soak up any excess moisture in the compost and make sure that a good balance is maintained.

Bread will also, like any food, add valuable nutrients to your compost heap and as it breaks down, it will feed the worms and microorganisms there.

If your compost heap is dry, bread can also be useful if you soak it first. 

This will add moisture to the heap and can be stirred through it to help balance the water levels.

What Are The Problems With Composting Bread?

There are no major issues with composting bread, but some people will say that you shouldn’t do it because it has the potential to attract pests like rats.

That is because bread is an attractive source of food to them, and they will happily eat it if they get the chance.

It is more of a “treat” food than the vegetable peelings and ends that most people compost, and it has a stronger smell, so it is more likely to attract them.

They will keep coming back, even if you stop putting bread out, so be careful of this. 

You may wish to tear bread up, soak it so that it is a sort of soup (which should be harder for them to eat), or bury it in the center of the compost heap so that the smell is disguised.

On the whole, you shouldn’t have a problem if you add bread to your compost heap, but be aware of the vermin issue and make a decision based on that.

How Do You Add Bread To A Compost Heap?

Many people will just throw bread directly onto the heap without worrying about it. 

If your bread is stale or moldy, you might be even more tempted to do this, and with pre-sliced bread, there’s probably no issue with doing so.

However, if your bread is in big chunks, you may wish to cut it up first. 

The larger the material thrown into the compost heap, the longer it will take to break down, so it’s a good idea to make sure you don’t add huge pieces of material.

Cut the bread into smaller pieces with a knife, or tear it up. 

It doesn’t need to be tiny, but if you break it down a bit, it’s easy for the worms and bacteria to process it efficiently, and it can be stirred into the compost bin more easily.

Can You Add Stale And Moldy Bread To Your Compost Heap?

Yes, there is no problem with adding either stale or moldy bread to your compost. 

Stale bread will absorb moisture, so if your compost is very dry, you may want to soak the bread first. 

However, neither will cause any issues inside the compost heap.

The mold on moldy bread won’t do any harm; it is just part of the decomposition process, and could appear on the bread just as easily once it is on the heap, so it doesn’t matter if it is already there before you add the bread to the pile.

Be careful not to handle moldy bread more than you have to, and take precautions so you aren’t breathing in the mold spores.

Can I Compost Other Bread Products?

It isn’t just a loaf of bread that can go into the compost bin. 

You can also compost bread-like products. Tortilla wraps, rolls, pastries, buns, etc., can all safely be added to your compost heap and diverted from landfill sites.

Conclusion

Yes, you can definitely compost bread. It will break down very quickly in the compost bin, adding nutrients to your compost and keeping food out of landfill sites, which is very much better for the planet.

Don’t throw your bread in the general waste; cut it up into chunks and toss it in the compost bin.

How to Dispose of Butane Cans

Previous Post

How to Dispose of Butane Cans

Next Post

How to Make Biodegradable Corn Plastic: Step By Step Guide

How to Make Biodegradable Corn Plastic