Composting transforms kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment. It reduces household waste by 30%, saves money on fertilizer and soil, and benefits the environment by diverting organic waste from landfills (where it produces methane).
16 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Choose a location — Pick a spot with partial sun (3-4 hours), good drainage, and convenient access from the kitchen. Place 10-20 feet from the house to minimize odor concerns. Ideally on bare soil ...
- Select your composting method:
- Open pile: Simplest, free, works for large yards
- Enclosed bin: Neater, deters pests, good for suburban yards ($30-$150)
- Tumbler: Fastest results, easy turning, good for small spaces ($80-$300)
- Worm bin (vermicomposting): Indoor-friendly, uses red wiggler worms, great for apartments ($30-$100)
- Build your base layer — Start with 4-6 inches of coarse brown material (twigs, small branches, straw) for drainage and airflow.
- Add materials in layers — Alternate between "greens" (nitrogen-rich) and "browns" (carbon-rich) in a 1:2 ratio (by volume, twice as much brown as green).
- Greens: fruit/vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings, eggshells
- Browns: dried leaves, cardboard, newspaper, straw, wood chips, dryer lint
2. Key Details
- DO compost: fruit/vegetable scraps, coffee grounds/filters, eggshells, yard trimmings, leaves, cardboard, newspaper, wood ash (small amounts), hair/fur
- Do NOT compost: meat, dairy, oils/fats, pet waste (dog/cat), diseased plants, treated wood, coal ash, invasive weeds with seeds
- Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio: Aim for 25-30:1 (roughly 2 parts brown to 1 part green by volume)
- Hot composting (active turning): 2-3 months; cold composting (minimal turning): 6-12 months
- Finished compost improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient content
- Many municipalities offer free composting bins or workshops — check with your waste management department
Common Mistakes
- Too many greens (smelly, slimy pile) — add more browns
- Too many browns (slow decomposition) — add more greens
- Not enough moisture (dry, nothing breaking down) — water the pile
- Too much moisture (anaerobic, smelly) — add browns and turn
- Adding meat, dairy, or oils (attracts pests and causes odor)
Pro Tips
- Keep a small countertop compost collector in the kitchen for convenience
- Chop or shred materials smaller for faster decomposition
- Coffee grounds are an excellent "green" — most coffee shops give them away free
- Cardboard egg cartons and paper towel rolls are great "browns"
- Vermicomposting (worm bins) works great for apartment dwellers