There are many things that can go in your compost bin. It’s not just for leftovers and other organic waste that can’t be thrown away any other way. Even if something doesn’t seem like it would break down easily, if it was alive at one point and is made of plant materials, you can probably compost it.
Although, there are some things that will keep your compost from working well. If you want to get the most out of your compost, you should avoid putting certain things in it.
If you’ve found yourself wondering “are pistachio shells compostable?”, “how do I do it?” and “how long will they take to compost?”: you’ve come to the right place.
Can you put pistachio shells in the compost?
Yes, pistachio shells are compostable. Adding pistachio shells to your compost pile will contribute to creating a nutrient-rich fertiliser that you can use in your garden.
Can you put them in the waste bin?
If you don’t have a compost bin, you can put nuts and shells in the appropriate roadside collection bin but biodegradable materials like pistachio shells are better off being in a compost pile.
Disposing of organic or compostable waste like nuts and shells in landfill can contribute to the release of potent greenhouse gases like methane, which has around 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide.
Methane emissions are significantly reduced by composting suitable food waste and organic materials.
How to compost pistachio shells
You should grind or crush pistachio shells up into small pieces to help them decompose quicker.
As a brown material, you should be adding pistachio shells and other brown carbon-rich materials then a layer of green to cover it. Remember to use a garden fork or a stick to poke holes in your compost every couple of weeks to mix the pile up.
How long will pistachio shells take to compost?
It takes around 3 years for pistachio shells to completely decompose in a compost. Because they take a long time to decompose, you should avoid putting too many in at once to your pile.
Pistachio shells discarded on the ground or buried in the ground will take longer to decompose.
Are pistachio shells a green or brown material?
Pistachio shells should be considered a brown material when composting.
Materials that are brown, like pistachio shells, are often more dry solid and woody; and are a source of carbon (one of the four essential ingredients) for your compost. Harder brown materials create air pockets that provide oxygen for the microorganisms breaking the compost pile down.
Composts rely on brown materials like pistachio shells to add bulk and structure to the pile.
Will composting them attract pests?
No. Pistachio shells will not attract pests.
Composting considerations
When composting pistachio shells, you should avoid putting in too many salted shells as too much salt can contaminate your compost.
