Healthy Compost 101: It’s More Than Just Food Scraps

Healthy Compost 101: It’s More Than Just Food Scraps

You’ve got your veggie peels, coffee grounds, and banana skins ready to go—nice work! But here’s something many people miss: healthy compost needs balance. If all you’re adding is food scraps, your pile can turn into a soggy, smelly mess. That’s where dry materials—aka "browns"—come in. 

Browns (like shredded cardboard, paper and dry leaves) absorb moisture, improve airflow, and keep your compost from turning into sludge. The good news? Eco Cheeks’ toilet paper cores and cartons are the perfect addition. Instead of tossing them in the bin, let them do some good in your compost pile.

The Secret to a Healthy Compost Pile: Browns and Greens

Think of composting at home like making a smoothie/juice. If you only throw in bananas and carrots, you get a thick, bland goop. Your compost works the same way—too many food scraps and you’ll end up with a wet, smelly heap. Too many browns and nothing will break down.

A good compost pile needs:
✔ Greens – Fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings (rich in nitrogen)
✔ Browns – Cardboard, paper, dried leaves, and wood chips (rich in carbon)

Adding Eco Cheeks’ recycled cartons and toilet paper cores helps create the right balance, keeping your compost healthy and breaking down efficiently.

Why Eco Cheeks’ Cartons & Cores Are Compost Superstars

Not all paper and cardboard are compost-friendly. Many packaging materials have plastic linings, chemical coatings, or glossy finishes that can harm your compost. Some take ages to break down, while others contain hidden toxins that aren’t great for your garden.

Eco Cheeks' cartons and toilet paper cores are different:
✅ Made from recycled, uncoated paper—no hidden plastics or wax coatings
✅ Toxin-free—no bleach, dyes, or weird chemicals
✅ Breaks down easily—worms love them, and so will your soil

When you compost Eco Cheeks’ packaging, you’re keeping waste out of landfills and giving your garden something useful.

Worms Love Eco Cheeks (And Here’s Why)

If you’ve got a worm farm, you know these little wrigglers can be picky about their environment. Chemicals, fragrances, and dyes can disrupt their work, making it harder for them to break down organic matter. Some types of cardboard (especially glossy ones) can even harm them.

Eco Cheeks is 100% worm-friendly—our unbleached, chemical-free packaging keeps their environment safe and encourages healthy decomposition. When worms are happy, they produce nutrient-rich castings (a fancy word for worm poop) that make your healthy compost even better for plants.

How to Add Eco Cheeks Cartons & Cores to Your Compost

Composting at home using toilet paper cores and cartons is easy—just follow these steps:

1️⃣ Tear or shred into small pieces – The smaller, the better! This speeds up decomposition and makes it easier for worms to munch through.
2️⃣ Mix with food scraps – Layer them in with your kitchen waste to keep the balance of greens and browns.
3️⃣ Keep the pile moist but not soggy – If your compost is too dry, add a little water. If it’s too wet, throw in more shredded carton or core.
4️⃣ Aerate regularly – Turn your compost now and then to keep air flowing and prevent bad smells.

Composting at Home with Eco Cheeks: A Simple Swap with Big Benefits

By choosing Eco Cheeks and composting the packaging, you’re not just reducing waste—you’re actively creating nutrient-rich soil that benefits your plants and the planet. Instead of sending packaging to landfill, you’re giving it a second life.

Next time you finish a roll of Eco Cheeks toilet paper, don’t just toss the core—compost it! It’s an easy habit that keeps your compost pile healthy and your worms happy.