Composting Made Simple: Everything You Need To Know!

Tips and Tricks

Composting Made Simple: Everything You Need To Know!

In terms of sustainability life hacks, composting your waste at home ranks pretty high on the list. If you aren’t already a religious compost-convert, you’ve probably thought about it – or at least been told you should be doing it. And for good reason! Composting is dirt cheap (literally!) and a deceptively simple process that magically transforms your kitchen and/or garden waste into nutrient-rich food for the earth. The latest research shows that over 50% of municipal waste ending up in landfills today is actually compostable – meaning over half of our trash could be used to promote carbon capture, water absorption and overall soil health instead of just sitting around contributing to methane gas production!

The first step in setting yourself up for success with an at-home composting system is to determine what type of composting you’ll be doing based on your space, lifestyle and living situation. Here are the basic options to help you decide…

  • The Community Contributor: For the folks without a yard (we’re looking at you, apartment-dwellers!) this is a great option, as well as a way to connect with your local gardening community! Do some research and find a local garden, farmer’s market, or community organization that accepts free compost! Collect scraps on your countertop like Full Circle’s Scrap Happy Bin. Store scraps in the freezer if your drop-off schedule is less frequent than every week so the kitchen doesn’t get too smelly!

 

  • The Curbside Composter: If you live in a space with no yard, or aren’t ready to commit to the initial legwork a backyard composting system requires, this option is for you. Many cities and states have curbside pickup options for kitchen scraps and yard waste on a weekly basis! Just snag yourself an organics bin, remember to take it out with the trash, and a good countertop storage system. The Full Circle Breeze Bin is a simple solution for odor-free composting in any kitchen space. We also recommend you check out their Fresh Kitchen Compost Collector, if you’ve got any concerns about odors building up between weekly pickups! 

 

  • The Backyard Builder: Last, but not least, this is the option for DIYers and backyard gardeners of all stripes. Purchase (or build) your own bin and get ready to watch that garden flourish (trust us, it will!) This link will guide you through an at-home compost pile or a home-built bin – whichever suits your needs. 

What Goes In? 

Generally speaking, the rule is “if it grows, it goes”. But the full range of what you can toss into your countertop container or backyard bin really depends on scale. Some smaller collection sites will only take organic waste (no bones, meat, dairy, oil, or biodegradable linings) while your at-home system or a curbside waste collection service can handle a broader range of items. Here’s a general guideline for what’s okay to toss in that bin…

The “Always” List: 

  • Eggshells 
  • Fruits scraps 
  • Veggie scraps 
  • Brown paper bags 
  • Grains 
  • Coffee grounds 
  • Bread 
  • Unbleached paper towels 

 

The “Sometimes” List: 

  • Cooked leftovers 
  • Compostable packaging 
  • Dairy 
  • Seafood shells 
  • Meat 

 

The “Never” List: 

  • Plastic 
  • Used kitty litter
  • To-go coffee cups or containers 
  • Produce stickers or twisty ties

backyard garden

Like anything, it takes time to build a habit effectively. Remembering to toss those vegetable peelings in the compost instead of the trash takes a while to build momentum in your kitchen/cleanup process. We recommend making a list of what you can compost (based on your chosen system) and tacking it up in a visible place where you can see it in the kitchen – no more googling what you can and can’t compost! Better yet, you’ll be more aware of what waste can be sustainably turned into something that feeds the earth as opposed to contributing to landfill waste. This may even help change your shopping and eating habits as you become better acquainted with the effects that your consumption in the kitchen has on the planet! 

SOURCES/FURTHER READING: 

https://www.recyclenow.com/reduce-waste/composting/why-compost 

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/07/828918397/how-to-compost-at-home 

https://ilsr.org/compost-impacts-infographic/

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