How to Put Moldy Food in Compost

by Patricia H. Reed
Designate a separate container for old food to use for the compost pile.


Moldy bread, rotting fruit, past-their-prime vegetables and old coffee grounds don't need to stink up your kitchen trash can or take up space in the landfill -- put them to use making compost for your garden. Because the composting process requires decomposition, when you start with moldy food, you're already part way there. When using food in a compost pile, moldy or otherwise, there are a few considerations to keep in mind to keep your compost pile pest-free and functional.


Discard fruit and vegetable scraps, old bread, rice, pasta, coffee grounds, tea bags, old fruit and vegetables that have gone bad in the refrigerator and eggshells in a container with a lid you can keep on the counter or under the sink until it is full.


Add the moldy food to the center of your compost pile on top of brown, dried material, such as straw, leaves, sawdust or wood ash. The center of the pile heats up more quickly and retains heat longer than the outer edges.


Immediately cover the food with grass clippings, cornstalks or shredded paper.


Add aged manure or garden soil to speed the decomposition process and water to help the pile heat up and discourage rodents from nesting in the pile.


Continue layering with alternating layers of brown, dry materials and green, wet materials, such as grass clippings, plant material and food scraps. Cover the food scraps every time you add them.


Turn the pile frequently to aerate the pile, speed decomposition and keep the pile from smelling bad.


Remove any remaining food chunks and stop adding food if your compost pile attracts rodents or other animals.

Things You Will Need

  • Small bucket with lid
  • Pitchfork
  • Shovel


  • Make your compost pile between 3 and 5 feet square. Materials spread over a large area break down quickly because the microorganisms in the pile have more surface to work on. Larger piles are better able to insulate themselves and hold in the heat needed for faster decomposition than small piles.


  • Do not add meat, bones, dairy products, mixed cooked foods that are greasy or spicy, sweet foods or salads with dressing. Although dairy products and meat can be composted successfully in industrial composting operations, the temperature inside most backyard composting piles is not high enough to kill the bacteria they contain that can be harmful to humans.

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