Keep in mind that you’re not actually creating compost in a countertop bin. The bin is just a handy place to keep scraps while they’re in your kitchen. Then, you can transfer them to a small tumbler on your balcony or donate them to a community garden. If you don’t want to buy a countertop bin, use an old ice cream bucket that has a lid you can snap shut.
Aim for a ratio of 2/3 dry brown materials with 1/3 food scraps. Keep the lid firmly on the bucket to prevent pests from getting to it. Watering the compost allows it to decompose. [4] X Expert Source Artemisia NurseryPlant Nursery & Garden Shop Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.
If you love to garden on your balcony or patio, the Bokashi method makes excellent compost!
Shop for red wigglers online or ask a friend who has a worm bin already set up. Just ensure that you don’t get an invasive worm species like the Asian Jumping worm, Alabama Jumper worm, or George Jumper worm. [8] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source Plan on feeding the worms about 1 pint of waste at a time. Once the worms break that down, you can feed them again. Worm compost bins usually resemble plastic trays. You can keep them in either an indoor or outdoor space. [9] X Expert Source Artemisia NurseryPlant Nursery & Garden Shop Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.
This is a good option for people who don’t want to produce compost, but who are looking to cut back on food waste that ends up in the landfill.
Window box compost tends to dry out easily, so water it regularly to help the material break down.
Another benefit is that tumblers completely seal to keep pests and smells out. If you’re composting a lot of scraps, look for a dual-chamber tumbler or consider getting two small tumblers.
If transportation is an issue, ask the local group if you could set out buckets of your compostable materials for them to pick up. If you’re open to donating your compost to an individual rather than a local organization, join ShareWaste and look for hosts in your local area![14] X Research source
If your city or apartment building doesn’t offer this service, urge them to adopt it! Ask friends and fellow apartment-dwellers to email or call, so it’s easier to get everyone involved in composting.
Talk with your neighbors or friends who also live in your apartment and ask if anyone has a composting service. They may have offers for you or all of you might be able to share a subscription.
