Composting when you don’t have a yard or a public service.
- I live in a small apartment and there is no composting on the property.
- I have a yard, but my HOA says I can’t have a compost pile.
- I live outside city limits so I don’t get yard debris service and I don’t want to deal with a compost pile.
Do any of these statements sound like you? I’m here to help! First, learn to reduce your wasted food as much as you can. Here is a link for tips and tricks to do just that with the Rethink Food Waste Challenge. Second, below are a few options that might work for you.
1.) Get a worm bin: learn vermiculture.
Vermiculture, or worm cultivation, is for you if you mainly have fruit and vegetable scraps. In addition to produce, worms will eat eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds with the filter, and shredded paper. Some sources say other stuff as well: do your own research. Worms can live outside if you insulate their bin. The laundry room or garage is another good place to keep them. Another cool thing: our local Wonder Worman can supply your worms! Here is our guide to Worm Bin Composting for everything you need to know.
2.) Find a friend with a compost pile you can add to!
Or find one who has chickens or pigs. My chickens love any veggie scraps I will spare them.
Scrap-happy chickens from one Rethink Food Waste Challenge participant.
3.) Try out Bokashi: a Japanese method of anaerobic composting.
This method sounds really great! I’ve never seen it in action, so will you test it out for me? Bokashi actually ferments food scraps (all food scraps) using microorganisms. Apparently, it has no odor whatsoever. Check out Face Down Waste’s blog post for one person’s experience.
4.) Just want to teach your kiddos about how it works?
Or see how it works yourself? Learn more about how our Eco Heroes made their own DIY composters here.