Avocados are a staple in many kitchens, resulting in tough, discarded skins that often confuse home composters. The waxy, durable nature of the peel makes it seem unsuitable for decomposition, causing many to discard this organic material. Despite their texture, avocado skins are perfectly compostable, but successful breakdown requires understanding their composition and a few simple preparation steps.
Yes, Avocado Skins Can Be Composted
Avocado skins are entirely organic matter, making them a suitable addition to any compost pile where microorganisms break down materials into nutrient-rich humus. Although they contain nitrogen and are technically classified as a “green” material, their dense, fibrous structure means they behave more like a carbon-rich “brown” material. The skin contributes carbon, which helps balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. This structure prevents the pile from becoming overly wet and dense, which often leads to unpleasant odors and slowed decomposition.
Preparing the Skins for Faster Decomposition
The biggest obstacle to composting avocado skins is their natural resistance to rapid breakdown. To accelerate the process, the physical structure of the skin must be compromised before adding it to the pile. This reduces the surface area, allowing composting microbes more access points to begin their work.
Cutting the skins into very small pieces, ideally a half-inch or less, significantly increases the speed of decomposition. Using kitchen shears or a knife to create these small fragments overcomes the skin’s protective layer. For the fastest results, the skins can be dried until brittle and then crushed or ground into a powder before being added.
Once prepared, the small skin pieces should be mixed thoroughly into the center of the compost pile. The core of an active pile has the highest heat and microbial activity, ensuring the tough material is completely broken down. Burying the skins also prevents them from drying out, which stalls decomposition.
Addressing Common Composting Anxieties
A common question relates to the large, hard avocado pit. The pit is extremely dense and can take six months to over a year to decompose if left whole. For faster composting, the pit should be crushed with a hammer or blended before being added to the pile.
Persin Content
Another concern is persin, a naturally occurring fungicidal compound found in the avocado plant. While persin is toxic to some animals, the concentration in the fruit skin is negligible. It poses no risk to the composting process or the resulting soil health. The compound is safely broken down during decomposition, and the finished compost remains completely safe for garden use.
Pesticide Residues
Concerns about pesticide or fungicide residues on non-organic avocados are easily managed. If the composter is highly sensitive, they may choose to use only skins from organically grown fruit. However, burying the skins deep within a hot, active compost pile allows the microbial community to break down or neutralize any residual surface compounds before the compost is complete.