Composting 101: A Simple Guide to Turning Food Waste into Black Gold

Have you ever wondered what to do with your food scraps besides throwing them out?  There are multiple things you can do with your food scraps from feeding animals, regrowing from cuttings, but the single easiest thing to do is composting.

Composting Matters

Food waste is the single largest source of waste in the U.S.  According to the EPA, it accounts for over 24% of the waste stream.  And while you might think it might decompose in the landfill and somehow find its way back to dirt, it does not.  Most landfills are ‘dry’ landfills lined with a plastic barrier so hazardous components do not leach into the ground and ultimately drinking water.  Think massive plastic trash bag. Even without a liner, there is no aeration, microbes, etc to allow for the decomposition of food materials in landfills.  Simply, conditions aren’t right.  

Furthermore, studies have shown that the nutritional value of food grown today is significantly lower than it was in the 40’s and 50’s contributing to nutritional deficits.  Returning food scraps back to the earth, returns nutrients for new plants, food sources for animals, bugs and microbes and reduces methane produced in landfills. Compost, a.k.a. ‘black gold’, is one of the best and easiest things you can do for your garden and the environment. It’s easier than you think!

Contrary to popular belief, composting is not messy or complicated.  You don’t have to be a hardcore gardener to make it work for you either.  Composting kitchen scraps can even be done without a backyard or any fancy equipment. Whether you're tossing food scraps into a curbside bin, using a small worm bin under your sink, or collecting leftovers in a sealed container for drop-off, composting you can easily fit it into your routine with minimal effort.

All you need to do is separate your food waste from your trash and once it becomes a habit, it’s as natural as recycling. There are also many tools and community resources that make it even easier, from countertop bins with charcoal filters to compost pickup services in many cities. The key is starting small and letting your system grow with you.

So start saving your food scraps and get ready for an easy crash course to composting!

What Is Composting?

Let’s keep it short and simple for now: Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, like food scrap or yard waste (grass clipping, leaves, etc) into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.  When you allow organic matter to naturally decay, microorganisms and sometimes worms break it down back into soil.  The end result is “black gold” that enriches soil and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Types of Composting

There are many different ways to compost. From back yards to countertop options, there is really no excuse anymore not to compost.  And now that you know almost 24% of our waste stream is food waste, it’s the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon.

1. Backyard Composting

• Ideal for: people with outdoor space

• What you need: bin or open pile, mix of browns (carbon) and greens (nitrogen)

• Can accept: fruit/veg scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, yard clippings

2. Indoor/Bokashi Composting

• Ideal for: small apartments, people without outdoor space

• Uses airtight container + microbial starter (fermentation-based)

• Faster and odor-controlled

3. Vermicomposting (Worm Bins)

• Ideal for: indoor or garage setups

• Worms eat food scraps → castings = rich fertilizer

• Fun and kid-friendly

4. Municipal or Drop-off Composting

• Ideal for: those who don’t want to compost at home

• Many cities offer curbside pickup or community drop-offs

• Great for items not suitable for home compost (meat, dairy)

Composting Basics – How to Get Started

Now that you’ve chosen which type of composting method best suits your lifestyle, have a look at some basic rules of composting to avoid any of the pitfalls like items not decomposing or unpleasant odors.

The Golden Ratio: Greens vs. Browns

The Golden Ration refers to the ration of green organic waste and brown organic waste.  Greens are typically wet, nitrogen-rich items like fruit and vegetable scraps or items like coffee grounds.  Browns are typically dry and carbon-rich.  These include items like fall leaves, shredded paper or cardboard.  It’s best practice to aim for 2 to 3 parts brown to one part green.  Alternating layers of brown and green is also essential as it will allow for better decomposition.

What Should I Compost? (And What Should I NOT?)

Tools to Make It Easier

You don’t need a lot of fancy gear to start composting, but the right tools can make the process a little easier and more efficient. Here’s a breakdown of simple tools that can help streamline your setup, whether you’re composting indoors or out.

Countertop Scrap Bin

Countertop scrap bins are a good way to collect your food scraps throughout the day before transferring them to your main compost system.  If you are taking advantage of a town or city composting program, sometimes they will provide compostable, lined composting bags than can be tossed into a composter all together.  If you choose to acquire a countertop scrap bin, look for one that:

• Has a lid and charcoal filter to prevent odors

• Is small enough to sit on your counter but holds a day or two of scraps

• Is easy to clean (stainless steel or dishwasher-safe plastic are great choices)

• Tip: Line it with newspaper or a compostable bag for easy cleanup.

Compost Bin or Tumbler

If you have the space to composting at home in your backyard or balcony, a good bin helps keep everything neat and contained. There are a variety of composers out there to choose from, but here are a few of the most common:

• Stationary bins: These are basic and budget-friendly.  They are great for low maintenance, slow composting. 

  
  

• Tumblers: These are usually shaped like a sideways barrel on a stand.  They are enclosed and easy to rotate, which speeds up the breakdown process.  For fastest results, you will have to turn anywhere from daily to once per week depending on your waste load.

  
  

• DIY options: This is where you can get creative.  Repurpose trash cans, crates, or buckets are all options.  The main thing you want to worry about is making sure you have  airflow either by drilling holes or using screens/chickenwire.  

I personally have repurposed pallets to create 4 ‘bays’ with removable front panels.  Each pallet ‘bay’ is lined with chickenwire to both prevent scraps from falling through wood slats and allowing air flow.  Truth be told, I don’t turn my piles more than once a month.  I simply layer as well as possible and once one bay fills up, I move on to the next. The full bays will be mostly dirt and the volume will be greatly reduced by the time you circle back to it.   My last set of 4 took 10 years to completely fill and I put everything from food scraps to grass clippings and fallen leaves!

Browns Bucket or Storage Container

Browns buckets are for storing your “browns” (dry materials like leaves, shredded paper, or cardboard) in a separate bin so you always have carbon material on hand to balance out your food scraps.  I’ve never had the need for one of these, but if you fin that your organic waste production isn’t always the right balance of greens vs browns, this might be a good idea.

Compost Aerator or Turning Tool

If you are a little less lazy than I am OR if you want to get some of that black gold a little quicker, you may want to get yourself a decent aerator to turning tool.  Regularly mixing your compost helps oxygen reach the materials and speeds up decomposition.  This can look like something as simple as a pitch fork or fancy as a compost crank.

Moisture Meter or Compost Thermometer (Optional)

This is for people who are really getting into efficient composting (or perhaps those who are troubleshooting).

• A moisture meter ensures your pile isn’t too dry or too soggy

• A compost thermometer helps you know when your pile is active and breaking down efficiently

Common Composting Problems

Problem 1: It Smells Bad

• Likely too many greens or too wet

• Fix: add more browns (like shredded paper), stir regularly

  
  

Problem 2: It’s Not Breaking Down

• Might be too dry or not enough nitrogen

• Fix: add greens (fruit/veg scraps), lightly moisten, mix well

  
  

Problem 3: Attracting Pests

• Likely due to meat/dairy or uncovered food scraps

• Fix: bury scraps under browns and avoid composting animal products

Start Composting Today!

Now that you have completed Composting 101, you are ready to get out there and make some ‘black gold’ of your own!  When starting out, remember, composting isn’t all-or-nothing. Do your best, starting small makes a big difference.  

If you need some motivation while starting out, think of all the benefits of composting.  You can reduce your own personal trash that goes to the landfill on average by 25%.  That’s a lot of trash.  When your food scraps turn back to dirt, you will have the absolute best soil for your garden.  Your flowers and veggies will thank you and you will be rewarded with bigger blooms and more nutritious foods.  Most importantly, you are actively reducing your carbon footprint and climate impact.