Contents

• What is a composter used for?
• Home composter – how do I get started?
• What can be composted?

A composter on a property, in the countryside, or in suburban gardens seems like a given. But what about an apartment, kitchen, or balcony in a big city? This idea raises a lot of controversy and many questions. Will the composter not emit unpleasant odors, will it not bother other residents in the block, and if it's in the kitchen, won't it make us uncomfortable? And most importantly: Is it even possible? It's not only possible, but also simple and useful. In Scandinavian countries, where ecological social awareness is at a very high level, composters are widespread and taken for granted. For us, a composter in an apartment in the city is something of a novelty.

What is a composter used for?

Waste production in every household increases from year to year. Therefore, we need new waste solutions. Fortunately, waste separation is becoming increasingly popular, especially in big cities, and separating containers for plastic, glass, and paper is mandatory. However, after throwing away recyclable waste, food scraps remain that are not always easy to use. A home composter is the solution. Furthermore, thanks to the composter, we maintain our own fertile soil for indoor and balcony plants. Compost can serve as fertilizer or as a self-sufficient substrate for plants.

Home composter – how to get started

Home compost can be created anytime of year. Simply put, it's a container with a lid into which organic waste is placed. There are countless ready-made, beautifully designed, and designer compost bins available on the market that, when placed in the kitchen, simply look cool and effective.

When choosing the size of a composter, we should primarily consider the size of the kitchen or balcony—the location where we will be storing it. Composters vary greatly in size—from tiny composters that easily fit on the kitchen countertop to composters the size of a large garbage can. Organic waste containers are closed and usually equipped with carbon filters that absorb odors and provide the air needed for the fermentation process.

Once the composter is full, you'll need to stir the contents from time to time to ensure optimal air access and add a little probiotic bacteria. They have a positive effect on the composting process and eliminate odors. You can buy them in bottles at garden stores. You can also enrich our composter with a few earthworms, which speed up composting and improve its quality. To prevent rot and mold growth, it's necessary to maintain adequate humidity inside. This means avoiding wet waste, and if you notice excessive moisture in the compost, you can balance it by adding dry twigs, grass, or leaves.

What can be composted?

We mainly compost organic waste:

• leftover fruit and vegetables,
• Coffee and tea grounds,
• eggshells,
• Bread ,
• Paper,
• Cut flowers, houseplants,

The following must not be put in the compost:

• Meat,
• Dairy products,
• Oil and fat products,
• Citrus and banana peels are not recommended as they are usually sprayed with chemicals.

Probiotic bacteria don't produce unpleasant odors, don't develop mold, and aren't a breeding ground for fruit flies. Composting, on the other hand, reduces the production of household waste. Food scraps that end up in mixed waste end up in a landfill. They are stored in large piles without access to air. Therefore, they don't form fertile and useful compost. Instead, they rot and release gases, such as methane, that accelerate global warming. A home composter is an ecological solution that anyone can use.