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Composting 101: Everything You Need to Know

Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Quick Key Facts

• When you compost your food scraps instead of sending them off to a landfill, you reduce methane emissions and create organic material in which to grow plants.
• Composting also improves soil health; reduces erosion and the need for pesticides or fertilizers; and promotes carbon sequestration and climate resiliency.
• Two common types of aerobic composting processes are vermicomposting, which involves worms, and hot backyard compost piles.
• While many organic materials can be composted, not all should be composted in a residential setting because they will decay too slowly and potentially attract pests. Commercial settings will allow for more types of items to be composted.
• Finished compost can be mixed in soil or used as mulch.
• San Francisco was the first American city to create a food scrap composting program in 1996, but many more have since kicked off their own programs or are currently considering it.
• If your municipality doesn’t offer composting or food scrap collection services, you can look to private haulers or community gardens.
• Not all food scrap collection services are using the collected organic materials for compost. Instead, they may be using it to create other products, like biogas.
• A handful of states are allowing residents to choose to have their bodies composted once they die, but some groups find the practice controversial.

What Is Composting and Why Does It Matter?

Composting is the practice of intentionally breaking down organic substances — like food scraps — and turning it into compost, essentially a nutrient-rich organic matter that is excellent for feeding plants. It also helps reduce methane emissions associated with food waste (more on that later). And according to the Natural Resources Defense Council , “compost is an essential tool for improving large-scale agricultural systems” by improving soil health, reducing erosion and conserving water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also notes that using compost “attracts beneficial organisms to the soil and reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers,” as well as promotes carbon sequestration and, subsequently, climate resiliency.

How Does Composting Help Mitigate Climate Change?

Climate change is occurring because of human activities that create greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, that prevent heat from the sun from escaping from our atmosphere and entering into space (the “greenhouse effect”).

When organic waste is thrown into the trash or into a landfill, it decomposes anaerobically, or without oxygen, in a process that then creates methane. While you’ve probably heard about the climate impact of carbon dioxide emissions, methane emissions last less time in the atmosphere but have a stronger impact while there.

“Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere,” according to the Environmental Defense Fund . “Even though [carbon dioxide] has a longer-lasting effect, methane sets the pace for warming in the near term. At least 25% of today’s global warming is driven by methane from human actions.”

But when that organic waste is instead composted, it decays aerobically (that is, in an oxygen-rich environment), and methane isn’t emitted.

What Can I Do With Finished Compost?

Finished compost can be used throughout the garden in lieu of artificial or chemical products to help feed plants. It can be mixed into soil or used as a potting mix , or otherwise spread on top of the soil in the garden bed to use as mulch, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. 

What Are the Different Types of Composting?

There are three overall composting categories: hot methods, cold methods and vermicomposting. Within those categories are numerous different types of compost setups, but the most common types you’ll likely come across in the residential context are aerated, thermophilic compost piles (or backyard compost piles) and vermicomposting boxes. Several cold methods also create compost and they are slower, anaerobic processes.

As the name implies, backyard compost piles are simple enough to set up and maintain that you can do it at home. By incorporating an appropriate mix of carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials, as well as oxygen and water, you can build and maintain a compost pile that will produce finished compost in a matter of months. Temperatures within a backyard compost pile can reach between 130° to 160° Fahrenheit, according to the EPA which explains the backyard compost pile creation and maintenance process in full on its website.

Vermicomposting, meanwhile, involves using worms and microorganisms to break down organic matter to turn it into compost, according to the NC Cooperative Extension. The extension notes that only seven types of worms can work for composting, but California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery recommends using one of two species : Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellis . The process can be done inside or outside.

After consuming the organic matter, the worms will essentially poop out fertilizer in the form of worm castings. Cornell University’s Waste Management Institute recommends using old dresser drawers or fish tanks to set up at-home vermicomposting — the center also details the full process here .

How Long Until I Have Compost at Home?

Hot composting methods can produce finished compost with several weeks of maintenance, although that doesn’t account for curing time. It’s important to cure your compost, or leave it undisturbed to allow it to continue breaking down, after the first weeks of active maintenance in a backyard compost pile.

Vermicomposted organic matter, however, doesn’t require curing, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, meaning you can use the finished compost right away.

Where Else Can I Compost if Not at Home?

Even if you don’t have space at home to have your own compost setup (or perhaps hosting a family of worms is unappealing to you), that doesn’t mean you can’t put your food scraps to good use.

Some community gardens may have a compost pile you can contribute to, but check with whomever is in charge of it to make sure you’re not adding too much of certain items (or the wrong things entirely). And depending on where you live, your local farmers market might offer a food scrap composting drop-off option.

Increasingly, municipalities like Arlington County, Virginia are offering their own food scrap pick-up programs to compost locally. That county began offering curbside food scrap collection in 2021, after five years of collecting only yard waste from residences . And some cities are creating pilot projects to test out such programs before committing to them long-term. Washington, DC, for example, is kicking off a curbside composting pilot this summer for 12,000 households whose waste is handled by the city’s public works department.

But such programs aren’t exactly brand-new ideas, as San Francisco became the first American city to establish a large food scrap composting program nearly 30 years ago, in 1996. (The city met several smaller waste reduction goals but failed to meet an ambitious zero-waste by 2020 goal , revising it to cutting total waste by 15% by 2030 and reducing landfill-bound waste by 50%).

If your city doesn’t offer its own food scrap collection program, research whether private food scrap haulers exist in your area. Essentially, you sign up and pay these haulers to independently collect your organic waste on a set schedule and take it to an off-site compost pile. Some may allow you to skip weeks when you haven’t collected enough scraps to make pick-up worthwhile.

Another bonus of composting away from the house? Often you can opt to receive some of the finished compost if you’re a regular subscriber or contributor, meaning you can gain the garden benefits of composting without having to do the dirty work yourself.

What Can I Compost?

Some resources say that anything that can be eaten can be composted. That may be true in general, but some things should only be composted in certain settings. Not every substance decomposes at the same rate, meaning items that are slower to break down could attract pests , according to Food Print , a GRACE Communications Foundation project that focuses on environmental concerns around the industrial food system.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance offers a list of what should and shouldn’t be composted on their website. Yard waste, such as untreated wood chips and fall leaves, as well as cut flowers, tea bags without staples, crushed egg shells and fresh fruit and vegetable scraps can all get tossed in a backyard compost pile. But the institute doesn’t recommend trying to compost pet waste, meat, bones, dairy products, or cooked foods.

However, if you drop off your food scraps or have them picked up by a municipal compost service, that service provider can likely compost a more expansive array of items that you’re able to do at home. Arlington County, Virginia details on its food scraps collection webpage a lengthier list than most backyard composters could rely on, including meats, bones… basically anything we consume, plus things like greasy pizza boxes, soiled napkins, natural corks and even hair and fingernail clippings.”

A growing number of products claim to be compostable, but often they are only compostable in industrial or commercial settings. If you have a specific question (like whether you can compost an old slice of apple pie since it’s mostly apples, or whether take-out utensils labeled compostable actually can be), don’t overthink it. Just reach out to the agency or company running the program and ask.

Can Humans Be Composted?

The short, scientific answer to that question is yes, humans are compostable. But the question of whether you’re allowed to compost humans depends on where you live.

Currently, six states in the U.S. allow for human composting as an after-death alternative to traditional burials or cremation, according to CNBC Make It. California, Colorado, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington (which first set the trend in 2019) have all made it a legal option for residents. According to Legiscan, Nevada’s governor signed a law that made human composting legal in the state on May 30, 2023, making it the seventh state to do so.

A human composting legislation tracker maintained by Earth Funeral Group notes that Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Virginia have all had bills filed to legalize natural organic reduction, another term for human composting. The same tracker notes that legalization legislation has been considered but failed to pass in Hawaii and Pennsylvania.

Composting humans has several environmental benefits over more common types of end-of-life corpse care. Cremation creates roughly 400 kg of carbon dioxide per body , according to an article published by The Guardian. The newspaper further explains how traditional burials aren’t much better, with “embalming fluid seeping into the soil as the body and coffin decompose, as well as other toxins such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy drugs,” in addition to limited burial space.

Nonetheless, reporting by Illinois television station WTVO notes that some religious groups and traditional burial groups are actively against the practice , citing concerns for the dignity of the deceased.

Are Food Scrap Collection Programs Always Making Compost?

Not necessarily. Depending on where you live, your scraps might be sent off to an anaerobic digester to be processed. As noted before, an anaerobic processing of food scraps creates methane, but operators of anaerobic digesters tout that the machines contain those emissions and turn them into biogas or digestate , according to the EPA. That biogas can be used for manufacturing feedstocks, electricity, heating, vehicle fuel or renewable natural gas (which is basically processed biogas). Depending on whether it’s in liquid or solid form, digestates can be turned into “animal bedding, nutrient-rich fertilizer, a foundation material for bio-based products (e.g., bioplastics), organic-rich compost, and/or simply as soil amendment, the latter of which may include the farm spreading the digestate on the field as fertilizer.”

Food scraps aren’t the only thing that can be processed in an anaerobic digester. The agency also lists animal manure, wastewater biosolids, crop residues, fats, oils and brewery or winery waste as products that can go in such a system.

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Composting can help fight climate change. Get started in 5 easy steps

Julia Simon

Life Kit shares tips on how to turn your food scraps into rich soil through composting. Julia Simon for NPR hide caption

Life Kit shares tips on how to turn your food scraps into rich soil through composting.

About 8% of greenhouse gas emissions come from wasted food , and roughly half of all food waste occurs during "the consumption stage," meaning waste from food service and households.

But as much as you're meal planning and reducing your food waste , there are certain things you're just not going to eat — like banana peels, or, if you're me, a frightening amount of pineapple tops.

Keeping food out of landfills can help fight climate change . And, luckily, there's an easy solution for your home food waste: Composting!

It doesn't matter if you're in a suburban home or a tiny apartment. This guide will help you turn your food waste into beautiful earthy compost in five simple steps.

1. Select your food scraps

Start with fruits and veggies — the skin of a sweet potato, the top of your strawberry. Also tea bags, coffee grounds, eggshells, old flowers — even human hair!

Meat and dairy products, though, are asking for trouble. Leonard Diggs is the director of operations at the Pie Ranch Farm in Pescadero, California. He says you gotta ask yourself, "Do you attract rodents? Do you attract animals to your pile? Meat products are likely to do that."

Other things that may attract pests? Cooked food, oily things, buttery things and bones.

Also important to note that some products say "compostable" on them — like "compostable bags" and "compostable wipes." Those are compostable in industrial facilities, but they don't really work for home composting.

2. Store those food scraps

How To Reduce Food Waste

When you're composting, your kitchen scraps should be part of a deliberate layering process to speed up decomposition. There's a method for adding them to the pile ( see step 4! ), so you'll need to store them in a container so you can add them bit by bit.

"It doesn't have to be, you know, all the things that you find online that are really cute little ceramic containers," says Diggs. He says it "can just be an old milk carton. When you make the first chop of the butt of that asparagus, boom, it could go right in there."

Also, you can store the food scraps in a bag in your freezer or the back of the fridge. That's an easy way to avoid odors and insects in your kitchen.

3. Choose a place to make your compost

Worms make great pets, and other reasons to compost at home.

For this step, you gotta think about the space you're currently living in. (I'm sure none of us have thought about this recently ... Kidding!)

If you don't have a backyard and still want a traditional composting experience you can take your food scraps to a compost pile that you share with neighbors or at a community garden.

(Of course, in the age of the coronavirus, make sure your community garden is open, and practice social distancing.)

If you want to break down your food scraps in your own apartment, there are still options. Jeffrey Neal , the head of the Loop Closing composting business in Washington, D.C., is a big fan of worms . He says you don't need a big container for " vermicomposting " — a 5 gallon box will do. Or you can go bigger.

"There are times when I made [my worm box] an ottoman so I could relax with my feet up on them! You can use it like a piece of furniture."

Another small space idea, Neal says, is fermenting your food scraps with a Japanese method called Bokashi . "All you need is a container you can seal and Bokashi mix, a colony of bacteria on grain." (Here's some more info on how to use worms and Bokashi.)

Of course, it's totally fine if you want to give your food scraps to someone else to make compost. Some municipalities will pick up your food scraps from your home. You can also ask your local grocery stores, restaurants or farmers markets to see if they have programs to take food scraps.

If you do have some outdoor space, your compost bin doesn't have to be complicated. "I think keeping it simple," Diggs says. An old trash bin, an old wooden chest — just work with what you have available.

You can also buy a bin online or Digg says, "You could just create the pile naked!" Basically you can just have a heap of compost — but don't put it up against a wall as it could stain it.

4. Make the compost mix

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In the world of composting you're inevitably gonna hear about "the greens and browns" — the two main ingredients for your mix.

"Greens" are typically food scraps, like fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, or, if you have a yard, grass clippings. These add nitrogen — a crucial element for microbial growth. Microorganisms are the true heroes of this process, they do the heavy lifting of decomposition.

"Browns" are more carbon rich — think egg cartons, newspapers, dried leaves, and pine needles. It helps to shred up the paper products before putting them in your pile.

A good thing to remember is that green materials are typically wet, and brown materials are typically dry. When you're layering, you want the dry browns on the bottom with the wet greens on the top.

Diggs says the browns are key because they allow water to flow, and air to flow, something called aeration. That will make sure microorganisms can do their job. "If one hundred percent of it is water, then nothing is going on. The microorganisms can't work. You got this soggy, smelly pile," Diggs says, "So drainage makes a difference."

A helpful analogy is to think of tending to your compost like tending a fire. Just as in a fire you need to structure the wood to get the air going, in compost you have to do a similar thing, adding spaces to give oxygen to those heroic microbes.

And it really is layering — browns then greens, browns then greens. The number of layers depends on your space and your amount of food scraps, but try to keep the layers to an inch or two. You can also put a little bit of browns on the very top to keep away flies and odors.

As for the ratio of "browns" to "greens," you often hear three or four parts of browns to one part greens. Sometimes two to one. Ultimately you always want more browns than greens — again, gotta have the dry to sop up the wet.

5. Wait and Aerate

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How long do you have to wait for decomposition? "If it's hot, you could get there in two months pretty easy, " Diggs says, "If it's cold made, you could be there in six months. And for every component to break down, it might be a year."

To keep things moving, you'll want to turn or rotate the pile, perhaps with a stick or spade. Remember the fire analogy — you gotta make sure the air is flowing, that it's wet but not too soggy.

As for how much you turn it, you'll probably turn it less if you have the right ratio of greens to browns. Diggs says when you start out you might be turning the compost once every seven to 10 days.

Typically the more compost you have, the faster it will go.

Neal says in the end "the nose knows" when your compost is ready. "Bad compost smells, well, bad," he says, "It's like what a smelly trash can or dumpster smells like ... Basically, it smells like a landfill."

If it smells bad, it probably means it's not decomposing — maybe your pile might be too wet or you might need to readjust your ratios of greens and browns.

Diggs says he loves smelling finished compost,"You know, it just smells so ... Oh, gosh. Woody, earthy, but also a sweet smell. Or sometimes a sour smell. And the feel! How fluffy it is!"

When you've got that fluffy, earthy compost, put it in your garden, or in a plant on your windowsill. Or you can donate to your local community garden — just be sure to text ahead!

Of course composting takes patience — you might run into unexpected things. We don't want you to give up so here are some more resources below.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has an excellent " compost trouble-shooting guide ." For example, it has suggestions of what to do if the pile has insects or is too wet.

• Jeffrey Neal from Loop Closing has compiled resources for those looking to try worm composting or Bokashi .
• Oregon State has a comprehensive guide for composting and "vermicomposting" — using a worm composter to break down organic materials. 
• Cornell University's Waste Management Institute has a more detailed guide to composting and "greens" and "browns," plus a lot more resources on their website.

We'd love to hear from you. If you have a good life hack, leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823 or email us at [email protected]. Your tip could appear in an upcoming episode.

Want more Life Kit? Subscribe to our newsletter .

The audio portion of this story was produced by Audrey Nguyen.

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What Is Composting?

Ever wondered about the remarkable process that turns kitchen scraps, garden waste and other organic materials into a valuable resource for your garden?

It’s called composting – like nature’s version of recycling, it transfers organic waste into nutrient-rich ‘black gold.’ This process can divert waste from landfill, capture carbon and improve the health of soil, plants and the planet at large.

So, let’s dig deep and answer a common question: what is composting?

Composting Meaning

By definition, composting is the natural recycling and decomposing of organic matter (which is anything that was recently living). This includes leaves, garden waste, food scraps, paper and even compostable packaging. 

Organic waste is broken down by living microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, which all do their thing and turn it into simpler organic and inorganic compounds.

In nature, the process of natural recycling takes time. Composting is a way of speeding up this process by creating the ideal conditions (like temperate, moisture and aeration) for decomposition.

The end result looks like dirt, however, it’s a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can enrich your soil and plants.

So, What Is Compost?

If composting is the process of organic recycling, then compost is the final product – a soil-like material with a crumbly, smooth texture.

Compost is a combination of water, brown materials (like leaves, twigs and branches) and green materials (like grass, fruit and veggies). It’s often called ‘black gold’ because the valuable nutrients in compost can support soil, plants and increase agricultural yields.

How Does Compost Work?

Even though you can’t see them, most of the hard work in compost is done by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes.

In simple terms, microorganisms eat the organic waste and then excrete it as ‘simpler parts’.

There are generally three phases of aerobic composting (composting techniques that involve the help of oxygen-loving microorganisms).

• Mesophilic Phase During this phase, mesophilic (moderate temperature) microorganisms begin breaking down organic materials.
• Thermophilic Phase During this phase, the compost pile heats up thanks to the activity of thermophilic (heat-loving) microorganisms. These high temperatures can help break down tougher materials.
• Maturation Phase Once the organic materials have broken down, the compost pile can cool down and enter the curing phase. Beneficial microorganisms still work, just at lower temperatures.

The result is a mature, dark and crumbling compost with an earthy smell.

Why Should You Compost?

What can you compost at home.

Organic material is anything that was recently living.

Here’s a quick guide to what you can and can’t compost.

What Can You Compost?

• Grass trimmings
• Tea bags (provided they’re not plastic)
• Coffee grounds
• Certified home compostable packaging, like brown paper lunch bags, coffee cups, bowls and cutlery (always look for the correct home compostable certification – learn more about the certification here )

What Can’t You Compost?

• Fossil-based plastic
• Aluminium foil
• Dryer and washing machine lint
• Dust from the vacuum cleaner
• Large twigs and branches
• Pet droppings
• Wax paper and cardboard
• Animal and meat products*

*Animal and meat products can be composted, but it’s not always recommended or you should limit the amount you compost as it may attract pests.

Learn more:  What Goes in a Compost Bin?

What Is Compost Used For?

Once you have your finished product, nutrient-rich compost, you can add it back to the soil. It’s great for returning nutrients to depleted soil.

The best thing about compost is it can be used at a range of different scales – from your small backyard veggie patch all the way to large agricultural systems, potentially reducing the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

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• Chapter 6, Composting Questions and Answers

Composting is a microbial process that converts plant materials such as grass clippings and leaves to a more usable organic soil amendment or mulch. Gardeners have used compost for centuries to increase soil organic matter, improve soil physical properties, and supply some of the essential nutrients for plant growth.

What is compost?

Compost is the partially decomposed remains of plants. In its final state of decomposition it is referred to as humus.

Does compost have any value as a fertilizer?

Yes, because decomposed materials have some nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content even though in small amounts. The addition of garden fertilizers to speed up decomposition supplies some of the nutrients as well.

Can compost be used as a substitute for fertilizer in the garden?

It can be used as a source of nutrients, however, there are not enough nutrients present in the compost to supply the needs of vegetable crops and ornamental plants. The lack of large amounts of nutrients in compost is far outweighed particle size of the material being composted depends on the final use of the compost.

However, on farms and large gardens, it is doubtful whether the advantages of shredding will be sufficient to justify the additional cost and labor. In ordinary composting any particles that are too large can be forked or screened out and broken up when necessary. If the material is to be used on lawns or flower gardens, it can be screened after composting through a 1-inch or smaller screen to give it a better appearance and to make it easier to apply and work into the soil. The individual farmer or gardener may not be necessarily particular about the uniformity of the compost structure when preparing the compost. Nor is the uniformity as important for agriculture fields as for the hobby gardener.

Initial shredding of all the material is not necessary in the composting operation. It is often the best practice to limit the initial shredding to large pieces of organic materials. Some composters believe that permitting some larger irregular pieces to remain tends to create greater air spaces in the mass and entrap more oxygen. Undecomposed pieces can be screened out of the final compost and put back through the decomposing process.

Vegetative and herbaceous matter should not be ground because it becomes soggy. The high moisture content of these materials makes them useful in small quantities throughout the composting process.

Aerobic decomposition proceeds best between 40% and 70%.

Is it necessary to add lime (calcium) to the compost pile?

It is not necessary, nor is it recommended. Too much lime may cause a loss of nitrogen from the pile. Most finished compost will have a near neutral pH without the addition of lime.

Is it necessary to add inoculum to the compost pile to activate the composting process?

Inoculation with prepared microbes may hasten the process. However, there are enough microbes present on the material being composted to initiate the process.

What are the best materials for composting?

Most plant material can be used for composting. Leaves are perhaps the best material because of their availability and organic content; however, other types of organic materials such as animal manures, grass clippings, vegetable refuse, small tree limbs and shrub trimmings, coffee grounds, and rotted sawdust are considered good composting materials. Do not compost diseased plants, weeds with seeds, or invasive weeds such as morning glory and nut grass; avoid composting feces, meat products, or materials contaminated with chemicals.

Is it necessary to shred materials for the compost pile?

The finer the material is that goes into the compost pile the quicker and more thorough the decomposition.

Can a rotary mower be used to shred materials?

Yes, it works best on dry materials that are not too woody. For example, leaves can be shredded effectively by a rotary mower. It is best to use it on a hard, level surface.

What is meant by Carbon to Nitrogen ratios?

When combining any organic materials to make compost, the concept of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio is critical. The micro-organisms incompost use carbon for an energy source, and nitrogen for making proteins. The proportion of these two elements used by the micro-organisms averages about 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. Given a steady diet at this 30:1 ratio they can work on organic material very quickly. The larger the number the greater the amount of carbon in proportion to nitrogen and the slower the decomposing process. Sawdust has a very high C:N ratio and decomposes fairly slowly unless some additional nitrogen is supplied. Grass clippings have a relatively low C:N ratio and decompose relatively quickly. Providing a mixture of high and low C:N materials usually results in better or faster decomposition than too much of either material.

Do compost piles need turning?

Yes, turn the pile to supply more oxygen for the microbe population and to shift undecomposed material on the edge of the pile to the center where it too will be decomposed.

Do compost piles have offensive odors?

Not if composting is done properly (i.e. provided good aeration and moisture for rapid decomposition). If animal manures are used, some odor may be detectable in the beginning but will dissipate as the process accelerates.

What do you do about a neighbor who complains about composting even though it doesn’t smell?

• Set a good example by keeping your compost system as neat as possible.
• Remember the essentials when you compost, especially the C:N ratio because too much nitrogen can cause an odor problem.
• Be sure to explain the benefits of composting every chance you get. Tell them why you do it and how it works for you. They’ll catch on sooner or later.

Are earwigs bad? What is their composting role?

Earwigs are rarely a serious threat to crops and they can be an aid to the composting process as scavengers. They prefer cooler piles.

How do you compost when you have too many materials that are high in nitrogen?

• Store high carbon materials (sawdust, leaves, shredded newspaper) and use them when needed.
• Buy peat moss and combine with the materials that are high in nitrogen.

Can newspaper be composted?

Yes, if shredded and mixed well with other materials. Newspaper is also a good mulching material and be placed beneath wood chips for a path. The inks used today are generally non-toxic.

How do you know when compost is finished?

When is has become dark, loose and crumbly; and if in a hot pile, when it doesn’t re-heat upon turning. Sifting out unfinished materials is helpful if the aesthetics are a problem.

How are food scraps stored and used to make compost?

Store them in sealable plastic containers and layer with sawdust to minimize odor problems. They can be used by burying them under at least eight inches of soil or turned in a hot compost.

Can noxious weeds and thorny plants be composted?

Yes, but care must be taken so the compost produced does not replant the weeds where they are not wanted.

How are noxious weeds such as morning glory, crabgrass, buttercup, ivy roots and blackberries composted?

Plants that propagate vegetatively should be very thoroughly dried in the sun and then used as a compost ingredient. Or they should be composted alone and covered with black plastic to sit for as much as two years. A thorough composting in a hot system should kill most weed seeds.

Can bones and meat scraps be composted?

Yes, but there is too much potential for pest problems, so we do not recommend composting these materials.

Can pet wastes be composted?

Do not compost pet waste. Not only are they smelly, but they can be dangerous to your health.

How do you balance carbon and nitrogen to make a hot pile?

• Learn C:N ratios of materials and balance mathematically.
• Learn C:N ratios of materials and balance intuitively.
• Use brown and green materials in approximately equal proportions.

Can wood ashes be added to the compost pile?

Yes, but in limited quantities.

Can sod be composted?

Yes, stacked in a pile, grass side down, kept moist and covered with black plastic. It can take up to two years to fully compost.

Should the compost pile/bin be placed in the shade or sun?

A sunny spot is best because the heat of the sun speeds decomposition. However, the pile also dries out faster and requires more frequent watering than a pile in the shade.

When is a pile too small to heat up?

For a hot compost, we recommend a minimum dimension of 3′ X 3′ X 3′. Insulation of the sides or top would help hold the heat of the process.

How do you know when to turn the pile?

If you are making hot compost, turn the pile when the internal temperature decreases below 100°F.

Are slugs a problem? What is their role in composting?.

They are not a problem for the composting process – they actually contribute to the process by feeding on decaying and fresh wastes. Their proximity to the garden can, of course, be a problem.

What is the easiest way to compost?

A holding unit or bin is the easiest way to compost.

Can fruit waste be composted?

Yes. With citrus, it is best to chop the rinds as much as possible to aid decomposition. Compost them like other food wastes.

Should diseased materials be used to make compost?

As a general rule, it would be best to not compost diseased plant materials because of the chance of re-infecting your garden.

When is compost ready to use?

When the pile returns to normal temperature and the organic material crumbles easily. At this point you should not be able to recognize the material that you put in the original pile. The composting process in the average pile takes about 6 to 8 months, though an ideally mixed and tended pile may take less than as 8 weeks to become compost.

How can I use compost?

Compost can be used to enrich the garden, to improve the soil around trees and shrubs, as a soil amendment for houseplants and when screened, as a part of seed-starting mix or lawn top dressing.

Can I compost grass clippings that have been treated with pesticides?

Some lawn herbicides may persist in the soil for 6 to 8 months. However, composting accelerates the degradation process. If treated grass clippings are composted for at least one year, pesticide residue should not be a problem when the compost is used in the garden or landscape.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is implied.

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.

Publication Revised February 2009

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LAUNCH Lessons: Composting at School 6th-12th

This lesson address the following Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) within the Performance Expectations of NGSS for Grades: K-2 and 3-5

• Asking Questions and Defining a Problem
• Planning and Carrying out Investigations
• Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
• Obtaining Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Analysis Students will analyze their daily habits to see where they can reduce their waste, energy, and water usage.

Project Management

• Students will keep track of how many resources they are saving.
• Students will practice leadership skills by delegating tasks to each other.

Evaluation and Assessment Students will track and evaluate the impact of their project.

• Types of Compost Systems
• Student Composting Education Script 
• Campus Composting Overview and “How To”
• Compost Collection Receptacle Signs
• Composting at School Sign Up Sheet
• Campus Composting Team Organizer
• Composting at School Weekly Tracker
• Composting at School Slides
• Composting at School Wrap Up Form
• Toolkit Resources – Google Drive Folder
• Lomi Bloom Indoor Composter

Table of Contents

Who wants to make magic with food scraps.

In this fun project lesson, you’ll be doing a little bit of magic! You’ll be turning something no one wants – food scraps and uneaten eats – into something worth its weight in gold: incredible, nutrient-rich soil that’s perfect for growing healthy, tasty and wonderful food. We’ll provide you with everything you need to set up a successful composting program at your school.

Within this lesson, you’ll find various downloadable resources. For your convenience, you can access them all in one place by clicking on this link to view them in a Google Drive folder.

LAUNCH Lesson Details

This page contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links and making a purchase supports Grades of Green at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support our mission of educating and empowering students to take action and lead environmental change. To learn more, read our disclaimer on affiliate links: Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

What is Composting?

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. Similar to nature when deceased plants and animals decompose into the soil, we too can turn decomposing food waste into a nutrient rich product called humus that can regenerate the Earth’s soil.

What You Will Accomplish

Composting is good for your school and the planet! By composting your school’s food waste, you will:

• Reduce the waste going into a landfill
• Cut down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions 
• Turn that food waste into humus or compost 
• Create the soil on your campus and in your community
• Be able to grow food in your rich soil

Don't Have a Location to Compost?

If you don’t have access to a location to compost outdoors, check out indoor composters like the Lomi Bloom to reduce food waste!

Why Should You Compost?

The resources provided below can be shown as a  slideshow  or printed out as individual worksheets for students to learn.

Billions of Pounds of the Food We Produce is Wasted

Did you know more than 60 billion pounds of mineral-rich food go to landfills each year in the U.S. alone [1] while US schools waste 530,000 tons of food annually. [2] That’s right, sadly, about 70% of the waste that we throw away without a second thought could be repurposed to create a nutrient rich product that supports healthy soil and can grow nutritious food without using chemical fertilizers. [3]

Wasted Food is Harmful to the Environment

When food waste rots in a landfill it releases harmful greenhouse gasses that trap the sun’s heat in our atmosphere and contribute to global warming. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, food is the single largest category of waste put in landfills. Food in landfills emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. [4] However, when food is composted, it releases no greenhouse gasses at all, effectively reducing emissions mentioned above.

Composting Is So Easy!

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It happens every second of every day when dead plants and animals decompose and break down into soil in natural environments. When food waste is combined with carbon rich materials like dried leaves, sawdust, shredded paper, moisture and heat from the sun, it will quickly break down and transform into humus, also known as compost. This can be done in a backyard compost bin, a community garden or sometimes through your municipal waste hauler. When added to gardens and landscaping, finished compost will help rebuild the soil nutrients and hold in moisture. Best of all – it’s the best soil to help you grow nutritious food!

Food Waste is an Environmental Justice Issue

Waste is often classified as an environmental justice issue due to the inequalities that exist between low and high-income communities. Wealthy neighborhoods are often given more resources to manage waste reductions while disenfranchised communities are frequently left with inefficient provisions to maintain a clean living environment. Furthermore, the same low-income communities are usually located in close proximity to waste management facilities where additional pollution burdens individuals. ( Waste360 )

[1] https://www.ecowatch.com/compost-at-home-2492036289.html

[2] https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/food-waste-warriors

[3] https://www.earthguardians.org/

[4] https://www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste/why

Watch these two short videos to learn why composting is important!

How to Compost at Schools: Pear Tree’s Guide to On-Site Composting

Think about it.

Pre-Activity Questions

• Observe your lunchtime trash for a day. How much of it is made up of food waste?
• Where do you see food being wasted the most and why do you think it happens?
• What do you think happens to the food scraps your school throws away?
• Describe a time when you’ve seen natural things decompose or break down in nature.
• Why do you think composting is important?

Take Action: How to LAUNCH Composting at School

Follow the steps below to set up a successful composting system at your school! Need help? Contact us !

Step 1: Decide Who’s Participating

• 1-10 students – plan to collect and compost food waste once or twice a week 
• Team – assign 1-2 people to collect food waste and manage compost daily 
• School – assign a classroom or grade level to manage compost each week

Step 2: Meet Your School’s Decision Makers

Set up a meeting with your principal and custodial staff to obtain permission and discuss the best way to incorporate composting into the custodial staff’s current routine.

Step 3: Choose Where On Campus You’ll Compost

Composting activities will ideally take place in two locations on campus. Food scraps will be collected in the lunch area and taken to a separate location for composting. Take a look around your campus; ideal areas for composting are a school garden or out of the way area.

Step 4: Get What You Need to Succeed!

Obtain or purchase the correct compost units for your campus. Learn more by checking out the Types of Compost Systems info sheet.

• If you will be composting in a garden area or have access to a sunny, out of the way area with a dirt ground then a traditional bin composting unit is right for you.
• If you will be composting on concrete or have limited space then a tumbler is right for you.
• Make sure to have enough compost units for the amount of food waste you will want to compost (if you are adding food scraps daily, you may want to have 2-3 bins that you can rotate use between weekly, adding to one while the others rest).
• If your school has access to municipal composting services through your waste hauler then food scraps will go directly into your waste hauler compost cart to be picked up by your waste hauler.

Step 5: Teach Your Classmates About Compost

• You can use this handy script – our Student Composting Education Script   – to teach your peers why composting is important, which food scraps can be composted and how to sort their food waste.
• Ideal ways to get your message to your school are by hosting a school assembly, giving classroom presentations, creating a video (and/or use the video link you watched earlier !) to be distributed to students or shown in class.

Step 6: Plan How You’ll Collect Food Waste

Develop a plan for collecting food waste and brown materials for onsite composting. (For municipal composting, food will be added directly to your waste hauler’s food waste cart and then be placed in the appropriate location to be picked up by your waste hauler for off site composting).

• Obtain or purchase buckets or cans that will be used only as a “food waste” receptacle.
• Print the signs provided to place on food waste receptacles to show students what can and can not be placed in the food scrap collection (this will differ for onsite and municipal composting).
• Announce to all students and faculty when food waste collection will begin.
• Brown materials like leaves and dried clippings will need to be added to the food waste at a 2:1 ratio. Make a plan to collect these from campus maintenance workers or school parents and store them in bags or a designated bin near the compost units on campus.
• Have a Leaf Drive in the fall to build up a surplus of dried leaves for composting
• You can come up with a percentage based on the total waste you see.
• Have a scale? Weigh an empty bin that you will collect food waste in. Collect all the food waste and weigh it minus the weight of the bin. 

Step 7: Plan How You’ll Manage Your Compost System

Develop a plan and schedule for transporting food scraps to the composter to be composted. Use our Campus Composting Team Organizer to organize your team. Ideally this will be done by a team of students who can take turns performing the following tasks:

• Review the Campus Composting Overview and “How To” doc (Pro Tip: print this document and post it near your composting supplies).
• Before lunch: place food waste receptacle with signage next to trash/recycle cans in the lunch area. Feel free to use our Compost Collection Receptacle Signs .
• After all students have eaten: Collect the food waste receptacles and take them to the compost area.
• Weigh food waste and record on our Composting at School Weekly Tracker .
• Empty the food waste into the compost bin and rinse the receptacle.
• Maintain your compost! Learn how to maintain your compost in bins and in tumblers below.
• Return tools and food waste receptacle to designated storage spots.
• At the end of the week, turn in the Composting at School Weekly Tracker form to your project manager.
• Turn the compost mixture with a shovel or spade to add oxygen.
• Add water if the mixture is too dry, compost should be about as moist as a wrung-out sponge. (pro tip: use the water from rinsing your food waste receptacle to add moisture to your compost bin).
• Add a thick layer of brown materials covering all of the visible food scraps to prevent flies.
• Close and secure lid of compost unit.
• Add twice as many brown materials as food scraps
• Add water only if the mixture is too dry, compost should be about as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Food scraps will normally provide all of the moisture needed in a tumbler.
• Close and secure unit door and rotate tumbler 3-4 times

Step 8: Compost Achieved!

Harvest compost when ready. Once a compost bin or tumbler is full it takes 3-4 months to break down into compost. Finished compost should look like dark, crumbly soil with few large pieces. It should smell like the forest. Shovel finished compost through half inch chicken wire or screen to filter out larger pieces (which can be put back into composter to finish breaking down). Store screened compost in a bin or tub then add it to landscaping or garden soil as needed.

Reflection Questions

How’d it go.

• What did you enjoy most about composting your campus food waste? 
• What were some roadblocks or difficulties you encountered?
• What surprised you the most about the compost process? 
• How did you use the compost?

Report Students’ Impact

Congratulations!! You’ve implemented Composting at School! Don’t let all that hard work go unnoticed. Submit your results by clicking the button below.

Project ongoing? No problem! Let us know what you’ve done so far. 

By reporting your impact, Grades of Green can:

• CELEBRATE and elevate your students’ hard work and success. 
• Offer our programs FREE for all students across the globe. 
• AWARD stipends and certificates to hard-working educators and students.

Please take a few minutes to submit your results. Thank you!

Congrats on completing the Composting at School Eco-Lesson! 

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Everything You Need to Know About Backyard Composting

Written by : Eunice Rodriguez | Last Updated: March 7, 2024

Imagine reducing your household waste and nurturing your garden simultaneously—welcome to the world of backyard composting.

Backyard composting is a game-changer for anyone looking to reduce waste, nurture their garden, and take a step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. It's a straightforward process that transforms kitchen leftovers and yard debris into a rich, organic supplement for your soil.

This guide aims to be your go-to resource, guiding you through the ins and outs of composting. Whether you're new to the concept or looking to refine your techniques, we'll cover everything from the basics to solving common issues.

Embark on this rewarding journey with us, and let's turn your everyday waste into garden treasure.

Why Compost In Your Backyard?

Environmental Benefits

Composting goes beyond just being a beneficial practice for your garden; it plays a crucial role in mitigating some of the most pressing environmental issues we face today. By integrating composting into our daily routines, we contribute to reducing landfill waste significantly. Organic matter in landfills decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting, however, is an aerobic process (requiring oxygen) that transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil without producing harmful methane emissions. Moreover, composting directly contributes to greenhouse gas reduction. The process of turning organic waste into compost captures carbon , which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. This carbon sequestration is a vital step in combating climate change, making composting an action everyone can take to cut down their carbon footprint. Another often overlooked benefit of composting is its ability to conserve water. Compost improves soil structure, increasing its water retention capabilities. This means gardens require less watering, which not only conserves water but also saves energy and reduces your water bill. In areas prone to drought, this benefit is particularly crucial, making composting a wise choice for environmentally conscious gardeners. By composting, we're not just recycling waste; we're participating in a cycle that enhances soil health, supports biodiversity, and fosters a more sustainable environment. It's a simple step with profound implications for our planet's health and our own.

Benefits for Your Garden

Composting is not just an environmental act; it's a gift to your garden. The transformation of kitchen scraps and yard debris into compost does wonders for soil health, acting as a natural fertilizer that enriches the soil with essential nutrients. This nutrient-rich addition improves soil structure, which in turn, supports stronger plant growth. Plants in compost-amended soil exhibit enhanced resilience against diseases and pests, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The magic of compost lies in its ability to slowly release nutrients into the soil, providing a steady source of food for your plants over time. This contrasts sharply with chemical fertilizers, which can sometimes deliver nutrients too quickly, potentially harming plants and the environment. By using compost, you're ensuring that your garden receives a balanced diet, tailored to the natural needs of your plants. Moreover, composting promotes soil biodiversity by introducing beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms break down organic matter, making nutrients more accessible to plants. They also help create a more aerated soil structure, which allows roots to grow more freely and absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. In essence, composting reduces your garden's dependency on chemical inputs, leading to a more natural, sustainable, and thriving garden ecosystem. It's a simple practice with the power to transform your garden into a lush, productive, and environmentally friendly space.

What You Can and Can't Compost In Your Backyard

Embarking on your composting journey begins with understanding what materials can transform your pile into nutrient-rich soil and what items should be avoided to prevent problems.

Compostable Materials

• Kitchen Scraps : Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and tea bags are excellent for composting. They decompose quickly and add essential nitrogen to your compost pile.
• Yard Waste : Leaves, grass clippings, and small branches provide carbon, balancing the nitrogen-rich kitchen scraps. Ensure to chop or shred larger pieces to speed up the decomposition process.
• Other Organic Materials : Items like cardboard egg cartons , paper (shredded and non-glossy), sawdust, and straw can be added. These materials help to aerate the compost pile and maintain its structure.

Items to Avoid

• Meat and Dairy Products : Avoid adding meat, fish, bones , and dairy products to your compost. These items can attract pests and create unpleasant odors as they decompose.
• Diseased Plants : Introducing diseased plants or weeds that have gone to seed can spread problems to your garden when the compost is used.
• Pet Wastes : Dog and cat feces can contain pathogens harmful to humans. Avoid adding these to your compost pile.
• Chemically Treated Wood or Yard Was te : Treated wood or plants exposed to chemical pesticides can introduce toxins into your compost and, subsequently, your garden.

Understanding what to include and what to avoid is crucial for a successful composting process.

By sticking to compostable materials and steering clear of potential problem items, you'll create a healthy, thriving compost pile that will enrich your garden soil, support plant growth, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

Remember, the goal is to recycle organic waste into something beneficial for your garden while minimizing your environmental footprint.

Setting Up Your Composting Area

Choosing the right spot and setup for your composting area is crucial for success. Here’s how to make an informed decision that fits your space and composting goals.

Choosing a Location

Look for a spot that is easily accessible year-round. It should be close enough to your kitchen to conveniently add scraps, but also in an area that won’t disturb your daily activities.

Ideally, your compost area should be on a level, well-drained spot to prevent waterlogging, which can hinder the composting process and attract pests.

Partial shade can help the pile retain moisture in hot climates, while a sunny spot may be beneficial in cooler regions to keep the pile warm.

Types of Compost Bins

Great for large volumes of yard waste. They allow for easy access and aeration but may attract animals if food waste is added.

Closed Bins

These are ideal for urban or suburban settings where pests could be a problem. They keep materials contained and can speed up the decomposition process.

Compost tumblers are elevated, making them easy to turn and aerate . They're excellent for quick decomposition but can be more expensive.

DIY Options

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach or have specific needs, building your own compost bin is a viable option.

Materials like wood pallets, wire mesh, or even repurposed trash cans can be transformed into effective composting solutions. The key is ensuring proper ventilation and access for turning the compost.

How to Use a Bokashi Bin for Composting

How Backyard Composting Works

Composting might seem like magic, but it's all down to science. At its core, composting is the process of organic matter decomposition, transforming kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil. This process is primarily driven by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and even larger organisms like worms and insects. These microorganisms consume the organic material in your compost pile , breaking it down into simpler substances. As they feed, they produce heat, which is a sign that your compost pile is active and healthy. This heat not only helps the composting process but also kills weed seeds and harmful pathogens. For successful composting, three key elements are needed: green materials (like kitchen scraps), which provide nitrogen; brown materials (such as leaves and straw), which supply carbon; and sufficient moisture and air. Nitrogen is the fuel that microorganisms need to thrive, while carbon acts as a source of energy. Moisture is essential for the microorganisms to survive and move around, and oxygen is needed for aerobic decomposition, preventing the pile from becoming smelly. Balancing these elements encourages the microorganisms to work efficiently, speeding up the decomposition process and resulting in high-quality compost. Understanding this delicate balance is crucial for turning your waste into garden gold effectively.

Maintaining Your Compost Pile

To ensure your compost pile thrives and efficiently breaks down into rich, fertile compost, attention to balance and maintenance is key. Here's how to keep your compost pile in top condition.

1. Balancing Greens and Browns

Your compost pile needs a balanced diet of greens (nitrogen-rich materials like kitchen scraps and fresh grass clippings) and browns (carbon-rich materials like dry leaves, straw, and shredded paper).

A general rule of thumb is to maintain a ratio of about 3 parts browns to 1 part greens. This balance helps microorganisms thrive, speeding up the decomposition process.

2. Moisture Control

Moisture is critical for composting. Your pile should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Too dry, and the decomposition process slows down; too wet, and you risk creating a smelly, anaerobic environment.

If your pile is too dry, add water or wet greens. If it's too wet, add more browns to absorb the excess moisture.

3. Aeration

Oxygen is essential for aerobic composting. Turning your pile regularly — ideally, every couple of weeks — introduces air into the system, preventing odors and helping the pile decompose evenly.

If turning the pile is not feasible, poking holes or inserting a few PVC pipes vertically into the pile can improve aeration.

4. Monitoring

Keep an eye on your compost pile's temperature. A warm or hot center indicates active decomposition.

If the pile cools down, it may need more greens, water, or turning to reactivate the microorganisms.

Troubleshooting Common Composting Challenges

Even with the best intentions, you might encounter some hiccups in your composting journey. Here are common challenges and how to resolve them, ensuring your compost pile remains healthy and productive.

1. Bad Odors

A well-maintained compost pile should have a pleasant, earthy smell. If you notice bad odors, it's often a sign of too much moisture and not enough air, leading to anaerobic decomposition.

To fix this, add more browns to absorb excess moisture and turn your pile to introduce oxygen. Also, ensure kitchen scraps are buried deep within the pile to prevent attracting flies.

Unwanted visitors like rodents and insects are usually attracted to specific types of kitchen waste, such as meat and dairy products, which should not be added to your compost.

To deter pests, maintain a proper balance of greens and browns, cover fresh additions with soil or dry leaves, and consider using a compost bin with a lid.

3. Slow Decomposition

If your compost pile is decomposing slowly, it might lack nitrogen, moisture, or warmth.

Boost decomposition by adding more greens, ensuring the pile is adequately moist (like a wrung-out sponge), and turning it regularly to maintain aeration and warmth. During colder months, insulating your pile with a layer of browns can help retain heat.

4. Too Wet or Dry

A compost pile that's too wet can lead to odors and slow decomposition, while a too dry pile won't decompose efficiently.

Adjust moisture levels by adding dry browns or wet greens as needed, and ensure the pile is covered during heavy rain or uncovered during dry spells to maintain balance.

Advanced Backyard Composting Techniques

Hot vs. cold composting.

Composting can be categorized into two main techniques: hot and cold composting. Each method has its benefits and considerations, making them suitable for different types of composters.

Hot composting is an accelerated process that requires managing the balance of greens and browns, moisture, and regular turning to maintain a temperature between 130°F and 160°F.

This method decomposes organic matter quickly, often within a few months, killing weed seeds and pathogens due to the high temperatures.

The downside is that it requires more effort and attention to maintain the right conditions.

Cold composting , on the other hand, is a more laid-back approach, where organic materials are simply piled up and left to decompose over time.

This method requires less maintenance but takes longer, typically a year or more, for the compost to be ready. Cold composting is less likely to reach temperatures high enough to kill weed seeds and pathogens.

Your choice between hot and cold composting depends on your gardening needs, available time, and effort you're willing to invest.

Hot composting is ideal if you're looking for quick results and are ready to actively manage your compost pile.

Cold composting suits those who prefer a more hands-off approach and don't mind waiting longer for their compost.

Vermicomposting: Using Worms to Enhance Your Compost

Vermicomposting is a fascinating and efficient method of composting that utilizes worms to break down organic waste into high-quality compost, known as worm castings. This technique is particularly beneficial for those with limited outdoor space, as it can easily be done indoors in bins .

Benefits of Vermicomposting

• Efficiency : Worms work quickly, consuming up to half their body weight in organic material daily, leading to faster decomposition.
• Nutrient-Rich Compost : Worm castings are incredibly rich in nutrients, more so than traditional compost, providing a potent boost to soil health and plant growth.
• Low Maintenance : Vermicomposting systems are relatively easy to maintain, requiring minimal space and effort once set up.

Getting Started

• Choose the Right Worms : Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) are the most commonly used species due to their voracious appetite and efficiency.
• Set Up Your Bin : You can purchase a vermicomposting bin or make your own from a plastic container. Ensure it has adequate ventilation and drainage.
• Bedding : Start with a bedding of moistened shredded newspaper or cardboard, which provides a home and food source for the worms.
• Feeding : Add your kitchen scraps to the bin, but avoid meats, dairy, and oily foods. Bury the scraps in the bedding to prevent odors and pests.

Vermicomposting is an excellent way to compost on a smaller scale, producing high-quality compost that can greatly benefit your plants and garden. It's an engaging way to recycle your organic waste, with the added excitement of caring for your worm population.

Putting Your Compost to Good Use

Once you've invested time and effort into creating compost, the next step is to harness its benefits for your garden. Knowing when your compost is ready and how to use it effectively can transform your gardening practices.

Ready compost has a dark, crumbly texture, similar to rich garden soil, and emits a pleasant, earthy odor. You shouldn't be able to recognize any of the original materials. If your compost has a lot of large, undecomposed chunks or an unpleasant smell, it may need more time or adjustment in its balance of materials.

Using Compost in Your Garden

Soil amendment.

Mix compost into the soil before planting to improve soil structure and nutrient content. This is especially beneficial for vegetable gardens and flower beds.

Top Dressing

Spread a thin layer of compost around existing plants to add nutrients to the soil and help retain moisture. This can be done at any time during the growing season.

Using compost as mulch can help suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature.

Potting Mix

Combine compost with soil and other materials like perlite or vermiculite to create a nutrient-rich potting mix for containers and potted plants.

Spread a thin layer of finely sieved compost over your lawn as a top dressing to improve grass health and soil quality.

In wrapping up, backyard composting is not just a hobby; it's a powerful step towards sustainable living. By turning our kitchen scraps and yard waste into valuable compost, we enrich our gardens, reduce waste, and contribute to the health of our planet. The process, from understanding what to compost to using the finished product, is a rewarding journey with tangible benefits for our environment and our homes. I encourage you to start your composting journey today. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or new to the concept, the positive impact of composting is immense. Let's make a difference, one compost pile at a time.

Eunice Rodriguez

Eunice is a sustainability writer whose passion is sharing accessible eco-friendly practices with GreenCitizen's global readership. She enjoys birdwatching during her downtime, often deriving inspiration from nature's resilience. An enthusiastic cyclist, she is also an ardent advocate of eco-friendly transport.

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Compost Do's and Dont's is a PDF document that illustrates what goes in and what stays out of your compost. Print a copy and laminate it to make a sign for your indoor or outdoor bin!

Teaching kids how to compost is an integral part of any garden program. Compost demonstrates a key element in the food cycle, reveals valuable lessons in the life of soil and the importance of its inhabitants, and offers the opportunity to educate children about the recycling of organic waste.Learn more about indoor composting (also known as worm composting) in your classroom, or outdoor composting in your school yard.

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A review of the principles of composting: understanding the processes, methods, merits, and demerits

• Published: 07 October 2022
• Volume 12 , pages 547–562, ( 2022 )

Cite this article

• Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9523-5723 1 ,
• Bernard Fei-Baffoe 1 ,
• Lyndon Nii Adjiri Sackey 1 ,
• Nang Biyogue Douti 2 &
• Raymond Webrah Kazapoe 3  

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Composting is a sustainable method for converting organic wastes into organic amendments. However, the emission of greenhouse gases (CO 2 , N 2 O, Nr, and CH 4 ) and odorous elements/compounds are disadvantages of this procedure. This review focuses on the principles of composting, composting processes and methods, the role of microorganisms and invertebrates in composting, conventional composting processes, and factors affecting composting processes. The study showed that the fundamental factors that impact the composting process are oxygen, temperature, moisture, and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Composting aids in waste recycling and serves as a mechanism for reducing the deleterious impacts posed by geo-natural and anthropogenic factors through soils. It reduces the amount of waste discarded or landfilled and the amount of landfill leachate and greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure high performance of a composting process, optimum levels of moisture (40–60%), temperature (35–40 °C), particle size (3.1–12.7 mm), pH (5.5–8), and C/N (25:1–40:1) are required. Including components that take longer to compost, especially during co-composting, makes prolonged composting a challenge. Hence, to enhance compost quality, anti-bacterial, fungicides, anti-nematodes, and viricides from plant or organic sources can be added.

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Values of Composting

Composting parameters and compost quality: a literature review.

Organic Waste and Pollutants Reduction Through Composting

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Amuah, E.E.Y., Fei-Baffoe, B., Sackey, L.N.A. et al. A review of the principles of composting: understanding the processes, methods, merits, and demerits. Org. Agr. 12 , 547–562 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-022-00408-z

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-022-00408-z

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