Meat does not belong in most home compost bins, and here is why

You can put meat in compost, but almost nobody should. Meat breaks down so slowly in a home bin that it attracts rats, raccoons, and flies long before it becomes usable compost. It also creates a smell strong enough that neighbours will notice. If you have a commercial composting facility nearby that accepts meat, that is the only practical route. Otherwise, meat goes in the trash or down the garbage disposal.

The problem is not that meat cannot decompose — it can, given the right conditions. The problem is that home compost bins, even hot ones, rarely reach the temperature or stay hot long enough to break down meat safely before pests find it. A commercial facility maintains 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks at a time. Your backyard bin probably peaks at 120 to 130 degrees and cools down quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • Meat in a home compost bin attracts rodents and insects within days and creates odour that spreads to neighbouring properties.
  • Meat decomposes so slowly in backyard conditions that it can sit partially broken down for months, drawing pests the entire time.
  • Commercial composting facilities that accept meat heat material to 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills pathogens and speeds breakdown.
  • If no commercial facility is available in your area, the garbage disposal or trash bin is the only safe option for meat scraps.

What happens when you put meat in a home compost bin

Meat begins to rot when ready, and the smell of rotting meat is one of the strongest attractants for rats and raccoons. Within two to three days, you will likely see flies or smell decay. The meat itself breaks down very slowly — a chicken bone can take six months to a year to become unrecognizable, and ground meat or scraps take two to three months even in a hot bin.

During that entire time, the bin is a pest magnet. Rats do not need much — a few scraps of meat are enough to establish a nest nearby. Once they find your compost, they will return. Raccoons will tear open a bin to reach meat. Flies lay eggs in the decaying material, and maggots appear within days. The smell also drifts to neighbouring yards, which creates a real problem if you live close to others.

Even if you bury the meat deep in the centre of the bin, hoping to hide it, the smell still rises. Pests can detect it from a distance. Burying does not solve the problem — it only delays when you notice it.

Commercial composting is the only safe option for meat

A commercial composting facility is designed to handle meat, bones, dairy, and other materials that home bins cannot. These facilities use industrial-scale equipment and maintain high temperatures throughout the pile. They also turn the material regularly, which speeds decomposition and prevents the cool zones where pests thrive.

To find a commercial facility near you, search "[your city] commercial composting" or visit the Earth911 website, which has a searchable database of facilities by postcode. Call ahead to confirm they accept meat and bones — not all do. Some accept only plant material. Those that do accept meat usually require you to drop off scraps in sealed containers, not mixed with your home compost.

A few cities now offer curbside composting pickup that includes meat and dairy. If your municipality offers this service, it is the easiest route — you put meat in the same bin as plant scraps, and the facility sorts and processes it. Check your local waste management website to see whether this is available where you live.

Why bones are even worse than soft meat

Bones decompose far more slowly than muscle or fat. A chicken bone in a home compost bin can take a year or longer to break down enough to be unrecognizable. During that time, it remains a visible attractant and a source of smell. Bones also do not break down into anything useful — they become brittle fragments rather than compost.

If you do put bones in a bin, bury them as deep as possible and cover them with at least a foot of finished compost or soil. This slows pest access but does not prevent it. The safer choice is to save bones for a stock pot (which extracts their nutrients into broth) and then discard what remains, or to put them directly in the trash.

Fish and seafood have the same problems as meat

Fish scraps, shrimp shells, and other seafood create even stronger odours than land meat and attract the same pests. The smell is often worse because fish breaks down faster, which means the smell intensifies quickly. Seafood also attracts seagulls and crows if you live near a coast, adding another pest problem.

Treat all seafood the same way you treat meat: send it to a commercial facility if one is available, or put it in the trash. Do not bury it in a home bin.

What you can compost instead of meat

Vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and plant trimmings all break down in a home bin without attracting pests. Cooked vegetables are fine — heat does not prevent decomposition. Grains, bread, and pasta are also safe, though they can attract pests if they are not buried well, so treat them with a bit of caution.

Dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter should not go in a home bin — they attract pests and create odour just like meat does. Oils and fats also slow decomposition and can create a waterproof layer in the bin. Stick to plant material, and your bin will stay manageable and pest-free.

The garbage disposal is a better choice than composting

If you have a garbage disposal, it is the fastest way to handle meat scraps. The disposal grinds the meat into small particles that travel through your plumbing to the municipal wastewater treatment plant, where it is processed along with other organic waste. This keeps meat out of landfills and out of your compost bin.

If you do not have a disposal, the trash bin is the next best option. Meat in a sealed trash bag goes to a landfill, where it will decompose eventually (though slowly, because landfills are anaerobic and cold). It is not ideal from an environmental standpoint, but it is far better than attracting rats to your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I compost meat if I have a hot compost bin?

A hot bin that reaches 130 to 140 degrees will break down meat faster than a cold bin, but not fast enough to prevent pest problems. Even hot bins cool down between turnings, creating windows where pests can access the meat. Unless you turn the bin every two to three days and maintain heat constantly, meat will still attract rodents and flies.

What if I bury meat deep in the centre of the pile?

Burying does not work. Pests can smell meat from a distance and will dig or burrow to reach it. Rats are especially good at this. You will end up with a rat nest in your compost bin and a bigger problem than you started with.

Is it okay to compost bones if I crush them first?

Crushing bones makes them smaller but does not speed decomposition significantly. They still take months to break down and still attract pests. Crushing also creates sharp fragments that can injure you or damage compost equipment. Leave bones whole and send them to a commercial facility or trash.

Can I compost meat if I cover it with lime or charcoal?

Lime and charcoal reduce smell temporarily but do not prevent decomposition or pest attraction. Pests will still find the meat, and the additives can alter the pH of your compost in ways that slow plant growth. They are not a solution.

What should I do with meat scraps if there is no commercial composting near me?

Use the garbage disposal if you have one, or put meat in the trash. Both are better than home composting. If you want to reduce waste, consider saving bones for stock or broth before discarding them. This extracts their value before they leave your home.