We swear it’s easier than it looks! If you’ve been curious about composting but don’t know where to get started, we’ve put together the perfect guide for you! If you need some help getting started or feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole process, scroll down to check out our recommended composting kits.
Happy composting!
The first step
You can buy a compost specific bin or use a bin from your local nursery or home supply store. It doesn’t have to be a massive bin if you don’t have space for it! A pail or a bucket will work just fine. Make sure to place your container in a spot where it won’t be affected by heavy rain or extreme weather. While you can try this set up indoors, composting with worms, also known as vermicomposting, is recommended.
Getting your compost bin ready
Make sure that your bin or what's holding your compost has enough airflow, this can be done by making evenly spaced holes in the top of the lid and in the bottom. Keep your bin on a frame with a tray underneath so that excess liquid can drain properly.
Prepare your materials
For composting, you need two main materials: carbon-rich materials (the brown stuff) and nitrogen-rich materials (the green stuff).
Carbon Rich Materials
Cardboard
Paper
Spam mail
Coffee filters
Potting soil
Nitrogen Rich Materials
Grass clippings
Plant matter from Kitchen waste (fruits, veggies, coffee grounds, eggshells)
Cut your green scraps up into small pieces so they break down faster once they are in the compost bin. You can keep your materials in the freezer to avoid funky smells until you have enough for your compost bin. Be sure not to add any meat or animal bones to your compost.
Time to get started
Start by adding in your carbon-rich materials and then add your nitrogen-rich materials, and cover with more carbon-rich materials. Think of it as ‘burying’ the food waste and other materials. This will stop unwanted rot, smells, and fruit flies from discovering your compost bin.
Mix it up
Then give everything a good stir -without mixing everything up it will be hard for the materials to actually start breaking down. Turn your compost over regularly once you’ve started, this will help materials break down faster and get needed oxygen in.
Don’t Let it Dry Out
If your compost looks a little dry, add some water enough so that the mixture is slightly damp - similar in consistency to a wrung-out sponge.
Be Patient
If it takes a while to see success, don’t worry! Good compost takes at the very minimum 2-3 months to form so don’t let the lack of immediate results discourage you.
Composting Kit recommendations
If you’d rather have some help than try to muddle through, we get it! We’ve compiled a list of some fantastic compost kits and bins that will help get you started. If you’d rather collect food scraps and take them to a local composting center, here are options that will keep your kitchen clean and smell free:
OXO Good Grips Compost Bin
ECO 2000 Compost Kitchen Collector
For compost kits or an indoor setup, try these:
SCP Probiotic Compost Kit
Compost Starter Kit
VermiTech Hut Plus