Reduce food waste at home

Impact

Medium impact

Cost

Affordable

Time

Long-term

If you want to start composting food scraps and other organic materials, you have a few options to choose from.

Basic composting pile

Here's how you can start your own compost pile. First, find an appropriate location for your compost pile. It should be in a sunny spot that is out of the way of foot traffic. You will also need to build a structure for your compost pile, which can be as simple as four wooden pallets placed in a square.

Once you have your location and structure set up, start adding organic materials to your compost pile. The best materials to add are food scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste. You should avoid adding meat, dairy, or oils to your compost pile.

As you add materials to your compost pile, be sure to turn it regularly to aerate the materials and help them break down. In 6–8 weeks, your compost pile should be ready to use in your garden.

Composting bin

As for using a compost bin, there are many different types and styles available for purchase. Some people prefer bins because they can be kept indoors, which can be helpful if you live in a cold climate. Others find that bins are more aesthetically pleasing than a pile.

Wren member @DoilaRose adds:
"No need to buy food waste bin bags anymore. I simply put old newspapers into the base of my food compost bin. I've been doing this for over a year now and I find it easy and it’s great not buying bin bags anymore!"

If you decide to use a bin, the process is pretty similar to building a compost pile. You will still need to find a location for your bin, and you will need to add organic materials to it. The only difference is that you will need to empty your bin when it is full and then start the process over again.

3rd-party service or municipal service

There are also many third-party services and municipal services that will collect your food scraps and other organic materials for you. This can be a convenient option if you don't want to deal with the hassle of composting yourself. However, it is important to research these services to make sure they are reputable and that they will dispose of your waste properly.

Resources and next steps

Composting is great, but eliminating food waste at the source is even more powerful.

Action steps

DIY Compostable Newspaper "Garbage Bag" - Step-by-Step Tutorial with Photos

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Reduce food waste at home

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Encourage a restaurant to switch to reusable or compostable containers

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This action is part of the Reduce food waste at home guide.