Some items you can compost are small tags from clothing and small pieces of paper (for example, from tea bags). Even tea bags themselves break down quickly as long as they are not nylon. In addition to garbage and small pieces of paper, items made from natural sources can also be placed in a compost bin, such as small pieces of wood, matches, skewers and toothpicks. Tissue paper also breaks down readily. Many other paper items can be composted if you break them down or shred them. Don't forget the potting soil in your house plants. Spent potting soil may be added to the compost.