Home Composting
At Compost Collective KC, we deeply respect the dedicated home composter who takes the work of recycling their own food waste seriously!
Although it can be a lot of work, home composting is really good work. It’s a cheap and responsible way to own your own waste, but it’s not for everyone. Here are some things to consider before you jump into home composting, as well as some resources on how to get started.
Home composting is great if:
- You have the space: Piles and barrel composters do require some outdoor space.
- You only want to compost vegetarian waste: There are a great many things that can be composted in a commercial compost system that don’t work in a home system.
- You have good carbon sources to mix in with your food: regardless of what compost system you use, leaves, wood chips and other carbon sources are a must!
- You’re willing to do the work: Good composting is not passive. Compost should be turned and mixed to really do the planet the good you’re hoping to achieve.
Don't compost at home if:
- You want to compost bones, meat, dairy, or paper products (i.e. pizza boxes, napkins and tissues, and compostable packaging): Protein in the compost attracts critters that your neighbors won’t appreciate. Home compost piles don’t have enough mass to get hot, and can’t break down the compounds in compostable products.
- You’re not able to source leaves, wood chips and other carbon. Without carbon added, food waste is too wet for composting. Wet compost will smell bad, and will also emit the same greenhouse gasses you were trying to avoid in the first place.
- You’re never going to turn it
To home compost or not? That is the question.
Lastly, if you’re going to do it, do it right. We’ve had a great many customers tell us that they composted badly at home for years, and they’re now really happy to be using our services. There’s no shame in that! Here are some curated resources for different composting systems, as well as some tips from our own experience that may aid you.
Traditional Bin System
The three bin system is an oldy, but a goody. Tried and true, you can set this up in your backyard for free, without having to buy anything. This post from “Garden Ninja”, How To Make An Easy Compost Bin from Wooden Pallets, is very helpful with step by step photos.
Tips: Pallets are the cheapest way to set up this system, and also provide adequate airflow. Be sure to mix materials well so that you don’t get anaerobic pockets that let off methane gas.
Barrel System Compost Turneres
Compost turners are somewhat pricey but they can create savings long-term if they are cared for and used correctly. “Planet Natural Resource Center” has some good information on The Best Compost Tumblers in 2023 and Why/How to Use Them.