If you’re looking for an easy way to start composting, look no further!
In this post, we will discuss the basics of composting and provide you with the absolute easiest way to get started.
Why Compost?
Composting is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and help improve the quality of your soil.
Plus, it’s a great way to reduce your waste!
Composting is essentially the process of breaking down organic matter, such as food scraps and leaves, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Fewer methane emissions result from composting versus landfill decomposition, and more carbon can be sequestered in soil amended with nutrient-rich compost.
How to compost
If you are looking to get started there are a few main methods.
- Service providers. Commercial composters offer curbside or porch pick-up in many areas, especially in larger cities.
- Hot composting. If you have a 4′ x 4′ area, a pile or bin can be installed to create the perfect conditions for accelerating the composting process.
- Tumbler composter. Great for smaller homes or condos with limited outdoor space.
- Vermicomposting. Kits can be ordered through local providers or online shops like Vermibag.
- Bokashi composting. Food ferments and then can be added to garden beds, outdoor compost, or worm bin. Allows a greater diversity of foods to be composted. Buy a kit or make your own.
The easiest way to start
Instead of jumping down the rabbit hole of figuring out which system will be best for your lifestyle, it’s easiest to try it before you buy it.
- Look up nearby sites that are accepting compost at Shared Waste. It’s free and allows you to start collecting scraps that can be composted today.
- Focus on making the food scrap collecting easier, then decide on a longer-term way to compost. Getting in the habit of figuring out the first step of composting, collecting food waste, makes it much easier to fully establish your compost system.
- Download our compost matchmaker sheet to help you decide which system is best for you!