Composting is a natural process that transforms organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, into nutrient-rich soil. For Georgia families, composting offers a practical way to reduce household waste, enrich garden soil, and contribute to environmental sustainability. 

By diverting organic waste from landfills, composting helps decrease methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas—which is why composting is among the 20 Drawdown Georgia climate solutions for our state. 

Starting a composting system can be easier than you think, even if you live in an apartment or other setting with limited outdoor space. Read our 7 simple composting tips and get started today!

1. Understand the Basics of Composting

Composting involves the decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. The process requires a balanced mix of 'green' materials (rich in nitrogen) and 'brown' materials (rich in carbon). Green materials include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings, while brown materials encompass dry leaves, wood chips, and shredded paper. 

Maintaining the right balance between these materials is crucial for efficient decomposition and odor control. 

>> Learn more about how food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions in Georgia.

2. Choose the Right Composting Method

Selecting a composting method that suits your living situation and preferences is essential. Common methods include:

• Traditional Composting: Ideal for those with outdoor space, this method involves layering green and brown materials in a bin or pile, allowing them to decompose over time. 

• Vermicomposting: Utilizing worms, particularly red wigglers, to break down organic matter, this method is suitable for indoor or outdoor setups and is known for its efficiency and minimal odor. 

>> Watch a 13-minute video that shares the benefits of composting and shares tips about different methods of composting for beginners.

3. Set Up Your Compost Bin

The choice of a compost bin depends on your available space and composting method:

• Outdoor Bins: For traditional composting, select a bin with good ventilation and drainage. Place it in a sunny spot with good drainage, close to your kitchen for convenience.

• Indoor Bins: For vermicomposting, opt for bins designed to contain odors and fit your indoor space. Ensure they have secure lids to prevent pests and maintain appropriate moisture levels.

• Countertop Bin: Wherever you choose to compost, many find it convenient to place a bowl or a covered compost container on the kitchen counter to collect scraps created from food preparation throughout the day.

4. Know What to Compost and What to Avoid

Understanding what materials can be composted ensures a healthy compost system:

• Common Compostable Items: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, grass clippings, dry leaves, shredded paper, and cardboard.

• Items to Avoid: Meat, dairy products, fats, oils, pet waste, diseased plants, and inorganic materials like plastic, metal, and produce stickers. These can attract pests, cause odors, or introduce non-biodegradable trash and pathogens into your compost. 

5. Maintain Your Compost Pile

Proper maintenance accelerates decomposition and prevents issues:

• Aeration: Turn your compost pile every few weeks to introduce oxygen, which aids aerobic decomposition and prevents foul odors.

• Moisture: Keep the compost moist, akin to a damp sponge. Add water if it's too dry or incorporate dry materials if it's too wet.

• Particle Size: Chop or shred larger materials to increase surface area, speeding up decomposition. 

6. Recognize When Your Compost Is Ready

Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell. The original materials should be unrecognizable. Depending on factors like material types, particle size, and maintenance practices, this process can take anywhere from two months to a year. 

7. Utilize Your Compost

Incorporate your finished compost into your garden to enrich the soil:

• Soil Amendment: Mix compost into garden beds to improve soil structure, nutrient content, and water retention.

• Mulch: Apply a layer of compost around plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.

• Potting Mix: Blend compost with soil to create a nutrient-rich medium for container plants. 

Composting Solutions for Apartment Dwellers and Anyone Without Outdoor Space

Don’t have access to a backyard? No problem! Lack of a backyard doesn't preclude you from composting. Consider these alternatives:

• Indoor Vermicomposting: Use a worm bin to compost food scraps efficiently indoors. Red wiggler worms are particularly effective, consuming half their body weight in organic matter daily.

• Bokashi Composting: This method ferments organic waste in an airtight container, suitable for indoor environments and capable of handling a wider range of materials, including meat and dairy. citeturn0news22

• Compost Pickup Services: In Georgia, services like CompostNow, Terra Nova Compost, Secondhand Soil, and Let Us Compost collect food waste from residences, providing composting solutions without the need for personal compost bins.

• Community Gardens: Many community gardens accept compostable materials from local residents. Participating not only provides a composting outlet but also fosters community engagement and supports local agriculture. 

>> Learn more about how community gardens and composting programs are building community and reducing emissions on Atlanta’s West Side.

Get Started with Composting in Georgia Now

Still have more questions? Our free “How to Compost at Home in Georgia” toolkit, written by the experts at Truly Living Well, has the answers, plus additional helpful resources. 

Check it out to learn how you can help us bring climate solutions home in Georgia.