What can go in LILAs front black lid, the back gray lid, and what can and can't LILA eat header image

What Your LILA Can and Can't Eat (with Front and Back Lid Items)

What Your LILA Can and Can't Eat

So, you've welcomed LILA into your home! This composter is a game-changer for reducing food waste and creating nutrient-rich goodness for your plants. However, LILA has her preferences. Feeding her the right things is important to keeping her happy and healthy. 

Here is the ultimate guide to feeding LILA. Here we'll dive deep into:

  • ● What should go in the Front Lid (Black top lid, same side as her eyes)
  • ● What should go in the Back Lid (Gray lid on the other side)
  • ● What cannot go into LILA

 

 

Front Lid vs. Back Lid vs. What Not to Add

Front Lid (Black Top Lid)

Rule of Thumb: Approved items(see below) that you can't crush with your hand.

Think of LILA's front lid as the entry point for items that need a bit more to break down. These are generally harder materials that LILA’s powerful processing can handle.

These items are welcomed through LILA's Front Lid:

  • ● Hard Fruits & Vegetables such as:
    • ○ Artichoke Stalks and Leaves
    • ○ Avocado Pits and Skin
    • ○ Broccoli
    • ○ Brussels Sprouts
    • ○ Carrots (Chop if exceptionally large)
    • ○ Cassava
    • ○ Cauliflower
    • ○ Celery
    • ○ Jackfruit
    • ○ Melon Rind/Peels
  • ● Certain Meats & Bones:
    • ○ Chicken Bones
    • ○ Crawfish Shells
    • ○ Jerky
  • ● Others:
    • ○ Corn Cobs (No husk)
    • ○ Pits and Stems (Chopped)
    • ○ Nuts
    • ○ Popsicle Sticks (Wooden)

 

Why the Front Lid?

The front lid is designed for items that need more processing and blending. Placing harder items here ensures they're handled properly without slowing down the composting.

Pro-Tip for Front Lid Items: Chopping up larger items can speed up the process!

 

Back Lid (Gray Top Lid)

Rule of Thumb: Approved items(see below) that you can crush with your hand.

  • ● Soft Fruits & Vegetables: Berries, Tomatoes, Leafy Greens (That aren't super fibrous), Cucumbers, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Zucchini, etc.
  • ● Fats: (smaller amounts and in moderation)
    • ○ Bacon Grease (Smaller amounts)
    • ○ Lard
    • ○ Margarine
    • ○ Ghee
    • ○ Butter 
  • ● Cooked Grains & Baked Goods (i.e., Donuts)
  • ● Others: 
    • ○ Coffee Grounds
    • ○ Coffee Filters
    • ○ Dirt
    • ○ Dust
    • ○ Flowers (Only petals and blooms)
    • ○ House plants (Small only)
    • ○ Ice
    • ○ Paper Towels (Chopped/small pieces)
    • ○ Tissues (Chopped/small pieces)
    • ○ Toilet Paper (Chopped/small pieces)
    • ○ Cardboard (Chopped/small pieces, and no paint or glossy coatings)
    • ○ Seeds
    • ○ Peels (Softer ones like banana and orange peels)
    • ○ Skins (Softer ones)

 

Why the Back Lid?

These items are generally softer, break down more quickly, or are smaller in particle size. Also, note that an excess of fats and too much sugar can throw off the microbial system.

 

What LILA Cannot Eat (Neither Lid!)

Putting the wrong items into LILA can damage her and the compost.

  • ● Hard/Large Shells and Bones:
    • ○ Pig Bones
    • ○ Beef Bones
    • ○ Ox Bones
    • ○ Oyster Shells
    • ○ Clam Shells
  • ● Liquids (in volume):
    • ○ Soup
    • ○ Cooking Oils 
  • ● Hygiene Products:
    • ○ Wipes (Even "flushable" ones)
    • ○ Cotton Balls
    • ○ Maxi Pads
    • ○ Q-tips
    • ○ Tampons
  • ● Other:
    • ○ Plastics (Of any kind)
    • ○ Yard Waste or Clippings
    • ○ Gum
    • ○ Baking Parchment
    • ○ Coffee Cups
    • ○ Compostable Packaging and Tableware
    • ○ Corn Husks
    • ○ Diapers (Disposable or "Compostable")
    • ○ Hair
    • ○ Vomit (Human Waste)
    • ○ Cardboard with Paint or Glossy Coatings
    • ○ Animal Waste (Cat litter, dog poop, etc)

 

Final Tips

  • ● Hand Crushing Rule of Thumb: If you can't crush it with your hand, put it in the Front/Black Lid. If you can crush it with your hand, put it in the Back/Gray Lid.
  • ● When in Doubt, Leave it Out: If you're unsure whether something can go into LILA, it's always safer to dispose of it conventionally.
  • ● Size Matters: Chopping very large or tough items (even for the front/black lid) can improve speed and efficiency. For paper products in the back lid, small pieces are a must
  • ● Variety is key with Compost: A good mix of "greens" (nitrogen-rich, like fruit/veg scraps) and "browns" (carbon-rich, like chopped cardboard or popsicle sticks) makes for the best compost. LILA helps manage this, but your input matters.
  • ● Consult Your LILA Manual: Refer to the official LILA manual for the most specific and up-to-date information!

 

It's important to feed LILA correctly by understanding what goes in the front and back lids, as well as what cannot go in at all. Feeding LILA correctly will help keep her running smoothly and producing beautiful, nutrient-rich compost while reducing your household waste.

 

Happy composting!

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