Can I Compost Eggshells?
Eggshells are great for composting because they add calcium and improve soil drainage.

Sourced & Cited
Eggshells are a fantastic addition to your compost pile! They're a natural source of calcium carbonate, which helps improve the soil structure and provides essential nutrients for your plants. Plus, they break down relatively quickly, adding to the overall decomposition process.
Compost Classification
Neutral: Eggshells are considered neutral in terms of the brown/green ratio because they don't contribute significant amounts of nitrogen or carbon. They're primarily composed of calcium carbonate, a mineral that helps balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in your compost. They don't decompose as rapidly as nitrogen-rich materials.
🌱 Key Nutrients
This item contributes the following nutrients to your compost:
Calcium (Ca)
🏷️ Tags
Important characteristics to know about this item:
Breaks Down Slowly Use in Moderation Pest Attraction Risk Odor Risk Adds Key Nutrients
⚠️ Potential Risks
- Pest attraction: While not a major concern, crushed eggshells can attract some insects, especially if not properly incorporated into the compost pile.
- Slow decomposition: Eggshells decompose slower than other organic materials, so don't rely on them solely for nitrogen.
💡 Best Practices
- Crush eggshells before adding them to your compost pile. This increases their surface area, speeding up decomposition.
- Don't add too many at once. Aim for a small amount, ensuring they are mixed throughout the pile, not clumped.
- Consider rinsing eggshells before adding them, to prevent potential odor issues from lingering egg residue.
- Eggshells are suitable for both hot and cold composting methods.