Since it’s International Compost Awareness Week, you know we are going to give you a whole post about how to compost! There are so many different ways to compost, from small containers for an apartment to industrial composting. A lot of people love composting at home, but some think it will be too much work or too smelly, but we have a lot of information here to help you learn the best tips and tricks. So that you can create your very own compost right at home. 

If you live in an apartment, check out this article to help find some creative solutions to balcony composting. If you own a business or restaurant, check out KC Can Compost! 

Before you start, you will need some kind of container for your compost. If you have a large enough yard, you could potentially forgo a container, but most people don’t because it’s best to keep critters out of your pile. For some inspiration, check out some of these homemade compost container ideas.

Types of Composting: 

First of all, there is hot and cold composting. Most often, you will hear about hot composting as that tends to be a faster process. Cold composting takes a bit longer, but is a much more passive process. Simply collect the organic materials together in a bin or pile and let the matter decompose over the course of a year or more. 

Hot composting is a faster process but much more involved. You must carefully concoct your “ingredients” (nitrogen, carbon, air, and water) so that the ratio creates a good environment for feeding the microorganisms that speed up the process of decomposition. The reason it’s called “hot” composting is that this process will cause your pile to heat up which “cooks” the compost. This method also requires consistent turning to aerate the pile and give everything access to oxygen. Here is a wonderful, long guide to everything you need to know about compost.

Then there is worm composting, or vermicomposting. By allowing redworms (not earthworms) to eat your food scraps, they will release nitrogen-rich castings that can be used as a great soil amendment. This is a better option for apartment composting as it can be done in any size container, and shouldn’t smell as long as you don’t put so much food in the container that the worms cannot eat it before it starts rotting. 

If you are working on your own compost pile, there are some materials you will definitely want to create a healthy pile, and materials you will need to outright avoid. 

COLLECT THESE MATERIALS FOR YOUR PILE: 

• Fruit scraps
• Vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Grass and plant clippings
• Dry leaves
• Finely chopped wood and bark chips
• Shredded newspaper
• Straw
• Sawdust from untreated wood

AVOID THESE MATERIALS IN YOUR PILE:

• Anything containing meat, oil, fat, or grease
• Diseased plant materials
• Sawdust or chips from pressure-treated wood
• Dog or cat feces
• Weeds that go to seed
• Dairy products

Luckily, if you use Compost Collective KC, you can compost your meat and dairy products. Maybe you choose to have two piles going? A smaller one for your yard, and a service with us for those harder-to-compost items! Don’t forget, as part of your service with CCKC you get compost twice a year. Sign up here!

What have you tried on your composting journey? We would love to see pictures of your set up, or if you try any of the ideas above let us know how it turned out!

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