Composting 101

Okay guys, today I want to talk to you about composting! I literally get so excited about this topic because number one, its so easy to do and two, its a significant step in reducing the amount of trash that ends up in landfill.

As I began to explore the whole world of “zero waste” a couple years back I became increasingly aware of how much trash my husband and I were producing.  Even after recycling and limiting our consumption, it seemed like the s+*t was pilling up.  I knew that composting would make a significant difference however I wasn't sure where to start (we’ll all that here today). Living in an apartment with no yard seemed to rule out some options...  One idea was to purchase a composting unit and then see if a vendor at our farmers market would like our compost for their land. However that seemed a like a lot of effort...  Plus, our farmers market is only open March - November which would leave us with not being able to compost during the winter months.  I researched some other ideas, eventually having an AHA moment, after watching this video by Trash Is For Tossers and talking to an employee at Whole Foods.  I found that instead of purchasing a composting unit or trying to work around our Farmers Market schedule, I could simply put our compost in a paper-bag that would chill in our freezer. Once full I could drop it off in the bin labeled “compost” at *Whole Foods.

BAMBOO

COFFEE GROUNDS

EGG SHELLS

EGG CARTONS

STALE BREAD

VEGETABLES/FRUITS

LEAVES & TWIGS

EXPIRED FOOD

LEFT OVERS

LOOSE TEA

MATCHES

SOILED PAPER

DRY GRASS CLIPPINGS

WOOD SHAVINGS

NUTSHELLS

PAPER NAPKINS

PAPER TOWELS

WAX PAPER

SHREDDED PAPER

SOILED CARDBOARD

MEAT OR ANIMAL FAT | This will attract unwanted pests and will not break down properly.

INFESTED PLANTS | If your plants suffer from infestation, avoid throwing them in with the rest of your compost, as this could lead to infestation of your future garden.

HIGH LEVELS OF FAT | Do not pour oil into your compost as some bins don't get hot enough to break down a lot of fat.

PET WASTE | Leave this out if you plan on using your compost on edible plants.

NON-ORGANIC MATERIAL | Plastics, chemicals, pesticides...If you wouldn't want it in your garden you won't want it in your compost!

How you compost depends on a few factors: cost, location, aesthetics, involvement, and capacity.  Some systems are free while others require investing in a unit.  If you have a yard you can either purchase a compost tumbler or throw your scraps into a corner of your yard, turning them over every so often with a pitch fork.  A compost tumbler is great because by turning it each day the compost is able to decompose at a faster rate.  Vermicomposting works in the city or the suburbs but is not for the faint of heart!  Worm castings create some of the richest, most nutritionous soil ("black gold") that you can use in your garden or sell.  Bokashi composting is where scraps are collected and a speical bokashi bran is added, which helps scraps break down anaerobically; basically fermentation for your compost.  It takes a couple of weeks and occurs in a bucket.  This option is works well if you live in the suburbs or if you live in the city and have a balcony.  Smart Composters are the most costly options but work anywhere.  They do a great job at keeping smells away, can be stored in a cabinet, and, like the bokashi, churn out compost in about two weeks.  There are many more options out there, created to fit your needs and lifestyle.  While these options are available for purchase, you can always get creative and use items that you already have, to make your own system.  

*Since writing this article, we found a local friend (with a backyard!) who accepts our compost. This has made the composting process so much easier for our family, as we’re not having to make a special trip to Whole Foods. Plus, our friend loves having our scraps for fresh soil!