FEATHERS ON THE COMPOST HEAP

[Duke Ellington]

I am about to throw out some feather pillows and was wondering if the contents are okay to put on the compost heap?

Duke

[Duke Ellington]

[Old bird]

Yes - No problem

The main criteria for compost stuff is - if it has lived and had a life - in any shape or form - it can be composted.  All natural materials - but no synthetic materials at all!

Old Bird

;D

[Mrs Ava]

Yup, but not green lip muscle shells.  Tim warned me when I very very very first joined this forum back in the 17th century that they wouldn't rot down, and I dug some up just the other day...years on!  Blasted things, and they are sharp like glass now.  GGRR.  But feathers are fine, as are old woolen knits, if you happen to be having a wardrobe clear out.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Seashells will rot down, eventually, in acid conditions, but it takes a very long time. You can tell they're pretty resistant in the right conditions; not only are they very commonly fossilised, you can find entire rock layers made of shell fragments!

If you crushed them first, you could use them as a substitute for lime, but don't make the mistake of thinking they're made of organic materials. They do contain some, but they're mainly calcium carbonate.

[louise stella]

Yes - No problem

The main criteria for compost stuff is - if it has lived and had a life - in any shape or form - it can be composted.  All natural materials - but no synthetic materials at all!

Old Bird

;D

.........great = that's my ex sorted then!

Louise