Composting Guide for Restricted Living Environments 

From identifying what is and what is not compostable to picking the right storage method, here’s a handy composting guide for those without access to a garden.

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It can feel overwhelming trying to minimize our impact on the planet. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average American generates 4.9 pounds of waste per day. In the US, between 30% and 40% of the food supply is wasted. 

One of the most environmentally friendly methods for dealing with personal food waste is composting, a medium- to large-scale process that involves outdoor space, large wooden composting structures, and regular tending. A large number of Americans live in apartments or similarly restrictive living situations, without options or access to the required tools. Here are some methods and solutions for composting without a traditional composting set-up. 

What Is Compostable? 

What is and is not compostable can vary depending on what you intend to do with the scraps. If using a compost pickup or drop-off service, there may be specific guidelines for what can be composted. 

Compostable materials include fruits, vegetables, leaves, coffee grounds, tea leaves, houseplants, and some varieties of paper. But if you are composting with a service provider or a commercial composting company, there may be opportunities to also compost things like meats, oil, cotton, and egg cartons. 

BPI-certified compostable materials like cutlery, coffee cups, and some types of packaging can also be composted commercially. It is essential to check with your composting service to verify what is accepted and what is not.  

How to Store It? 

One of the most significant concerns when collecting scraps is smell. Collecting scraps in a smaller space without the freedom to toss them in the backyard before it begins to smell requires some planning. 

One solution to this is a countertop electric composter. Countertop composters are designed to process food waste into a dry, less odorous material. While the material produced generally cannot be considered “compost” itself, the ground-up food scraps can be added to any compost to infuse nutrients. 

A more straightforward way of storing scraps is a compost container, typically kept on the counter or even under the sink if you want to keep it out of sight. An ideal storage container comes with a tight, well sealed lid to keep the odours away. Many compost containers contain charcoal filters that absorb and eliminate the odours from your fresh produce and other compostable materials. 

The most cost-effective method to keep your scraps without having to battle the horrible smells and potential for flies is freezing your compostable scraps until you are ready to take them to a drop site, local farm, or neighbor’s backyard composting set-up. Freezing food waste slows the breakdown of organic materials, making it a quick and accessible option for anyone looking to begin diverting food waste immediately. 

How to Dispose of It? 

Local Resources 

Many cities offer composting services in partnership with local non-profits, providing compost collection in a similar way that trash collection works. Programs that take your food scraps typically work with local farms where the food waste is used as nutrients for crops, contributing to local farming and food resources, which benefit both the environment and local communities. 

Backyards and Farms

There are many online resources and even apps meant to connect you with people in your area looking for food scraps, prepared and happy to accept yours. Check online for Facebook groups dedicated to where to divert food waste in your area to ensure scraps are used efficiently instead of ending up in landfill.   

More than half of methane emissions from landfills come from food scraps. Composting helps by recycling organic matter and reduces methane emissions. According to the EPA, composting efforts also create green jobs and extend the life of municipal landfills by diverting organic materials.