If you’re looking for one major action you can take right now to improve life on earth and the longevity of the human species, it’s composting in your own home!
What is compost?
Compost is created from the aerobic decomposition of many materials typically thought of as waste, including food scraps, leaves, straw, and more.
Composting mixes carbon-rich materials (brown stuff) like dried plant material and paper products with nitrogen-rich materials (green stuff) like food scraps and that combo encourages billions of microorganisms to break down the materials into gorgeous, rich compost.
Why should you compost?
Our conventional farms are far too reliant on petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers which pollute the local water supply and harm wildlife. But compost can dramatically reduce a farmer’s need for chemical inputs.
Organic farmers can incorporate microorganism- and nutrient-rich compost into the soil to help encourage healthy plant growth. Plus 40% of all food produced in this country goes into a landfill, and food scraps should not be taking up room there! Not to mention food waste in landfills creates methane gas which is far more potent than CO2 (greenhouse gas).
OK, so how do you compost?
Local pickup if you’re so lucky. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood that has compost pick-up you’ve got it made in terms of convenience.
All you need is a kitchen bin and some high-quality biodegradable compost bags to collect your scraps in, and the pick-up will provide you with a bin to put on the curb for the scheduled pick-up day.
Once your kitchen bin fills up, bring the bag of scraps to your larger bin. Or, pro-tip -- place the bag of scraps in your freezer to eliminate odors until pick up. Alternatively, some bins are small enough to fit in your freezer so you can store the bin and fill it there.
Kitchen compost bins I recommend:
Any of the ones sold on EarthHero. (Use code VESSELIFY for 10% off your first order, site wide)
Not all compost bags are created equal. Of the compost bags out there, I recommend the most sturdy and slowest to disintegrate. These are the two brands that fit the bill:
Repurpose, 3 gallon or 13 gallon for larger bins
Don’t have local compost pick up? If you don’t have pick-up, you can still compost!
Here’s how:
Got a backyard? Compost there! If you have a space in your backyard, this is a great way to create healthy soil for your garden and houseplants.
There are a number of composter systems on the market and you can also build your own. I’m particularly fond of the tumbler varieties which make it easier to “turn the pile.”
If you go this route, I recommend doing some research*, taking a webinar with The Rodale Institute, or reading books on composting so you manage your pile well.
Live in an apartment? Here’s how you can still compost... The biggest deterrent to indoor composting is the fear of the stink. Luckily there are two ways to compost where the odor is handled.
Vermicomposting
Nature’s miracle workers are earthworms! And you can put them to work on your food scraps so that before the food scraps have a chance to get stinky and rot, your pet worms (which stay self contained!) get to work breaking them down and leaving behind nutrient-rich “worm castings” to create “black gold” that will nourish the soil in your houseplants or patio gardens. Best worm bins and education can be found at Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm.Bokashi
Bokashi composting is a Japanese tradition that is catching on in the USA. It’s fast and easy and because of fermentation, rotting odor is avoided. Simply add food waste to an indoor kitchen composter, sprinkle with a bokashi bran mixture, and wait for the results. It takes just 4 to 6 weeks for your food waste to be transformed into microbe and nutrient-rich compost for your house plants and patio garden. Bokashi Living has great indoor systems.
Donate or drop off your scraps!
Local community or school gardens, farms, urban farms often have a composting pile to take scraps, or contact your local Master Gardeners for ideas. Farmer’s markets also sometimes have drop off points.
Research independent compost pick up companies in your area
When we moved from Boulder city to Boulder county, we lost our weekly compost pick up from the city. Composting outdoors in Colorado is not easy because of the dry climate, so our solution had been to bring our scraps to commercial pick-up points in the local businesses we’re partnered with (as above). But then very recently a fabulous independent compost pick up service opened up called Clementine Curbside Pick Up and now we have local pick up again!
Even if your area does not offer local pick up through the city, it is worth it to find out if independent companies exist in your area that will. Google it!
Composting machines
Recently a few nifty “composting” machines have come on the market for the kitchen. They function by grinding down your scraps and dehydrating the pulp. It’s important to note that while this is a great way to reduce rotting immediately, you end up with dry pulp that is not at all broken down by microbes or worms or anything - so it’s basically dehydrated, smooshed food scraps. The only way to use the end product is to mix it well into existing soil so it breaks down in the soil. Do not think you can “add it to your house plants” as many of these companies tell you - it will just sit on top and harden, blocking moisture from entering the soil when you water.
What if you’re staying with someone who doesn’t compost?
Depending on your relationship with your host, you could help educate them on the above options or do some research for them on the local services and places to donate scraps in their area! However, this needs to be a person or family member who is enthusiastic and receptive to the idea.
Got more ideas on how to start composting? Leave a comment and share!
* Here are additional articles on composting if you’d like to nerd out:
Why Composting is Something You Should Start Right Now
Composting Basics - a Cheat Sheet
Compost Matters, An Emotional Debate or a Rational Discussion
8 Things You Didn’t Know if You Could Compost but Were Too Afraid to Ask
A Scientist Shares Insights and Tips for Managing Compost Piles