Danny Seo's Do Just One Thing

May 6: Can you compost the dirt and debris your vacuum picks up? It depends on what you've been vacuuming. If your home is covered in wall-to-wall synthetic nylon carpet, then the answer is no; loose fibers get picked up during vacuuming, and the synthetic material does not break down easily in a compost bin. But if your home has mostly solid-surface flooring and natural fiber rugs, then go ahead. The combination of dust, food particles, pet fur, hair and other organic matter will work just fine in your compost bin. And if you sweep up with a broom and pan, go ahead and sprinkle what you collect onto your lawn. It will break down naturally.