No, it is not advisable to throw away the dust and hair collected in a vacuum cleaner into the garden compost heap. While some of the debris in the vacuum cleaner might be organic, such as hair and small particles of dirt, there are several reasons why you should avoid adding vacuum cleaner contents to your compost heap:
Non-organic Contaminants: Vacuum cleaners can pick up various non-organic materials like plastics, synthetic fibers, and other debris that are not suitable for composting. These non-organic contaminants can take a long time to decompose and may disrupt the composting process.
Chemicals and Toxins: The dust and dirt collected by the vacuum cleaner can contain residues of cleaning agents, insecticides, or other chemicals used in your home. These substances can be harmful to the beneficial microorganisms in the compost pile and can end up in your compost, affecting its quality.
Unbalanced Composting: Composting requires a balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. The contents of a vacuum cleaner are usually high in carbon but low in nitrogen, which can upset the balance and slow down the composting process.
Hygiene Concerns: The dust and debris collected in the vacuum cleaner might contain pathogens, allergens, or pet waste, which could pose health risks if added to the compost heap and not properly composted at high temperatures.
Instead of composting vacuum cleaner contents, it's best to dispose of them in the trash bin. If you want to compost organic materials from your home, use kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other suitable organic matter, ensuring you maintain the right balance of green and brown materials in your compost pile. Composting these appropriate materials will result in nutrient-rich compost that can be used to improve soil quality in your garden.