Compact Composting for Apartment Living

Composting isn’t just for people with backyards. With the right methods, apartment dwellers can turn kitchen scraps into garden gold—without odors, pests, or taking up precious space.

Why Compost in an Apartment?

• Reduce waste sent to landfills by 30%
• Create free, nutrient-rich soil for container gardens
• Lower your carbon footprint
• Connect more deeply with the cycle of growing

Method 1: Bokashi Composting

Best for: Complete beginners, small spaces, meat and dairy scraps

Bokashi uses fermentation instead of decomposition. Add scraps to a sealed bucket with special bran, and beneficial microbes break down the material anaerobically. Benefits:

• Completely sealed = no odors or pests
• Processes ALL food waste including meat and dairy
• Fits under the sink
• Ready in 2-4 weeks

Downside: Requires special bokashi bran and needs to be buried in soil to finish decomposing.

Method 2: Vermicomposting (Worm Bins)

Best for: Hands-on gardeners, steady supply of scraps

Red wiggler worms eat your food scraps and produce castings (worm poop)—nature’s perfect fertilizer. Benefits:

• Continuous process—add scraps as you generate them
• Produces superior compost (vermicast)
• Educational and fascinating to maintain
• Worms multiply, creating self-sustaining systems

Downside: Requires some learning curve and ongoing maintenance.

Method 3: Electric Composters

Best for: Convenience-seekers, higher budgets

Countertop devices like Lomi or FoodCycler use heat and grinding to break down scraps in hours. Benefits:

• Finished product in 4-24 hours
• Minimal effort required
• Handles most food types
• Clean, odorless operation

Downside: Higher upfront cost ($300-500) and uses electricity.

What Can You Compost?

Yes (all methods):

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Eggshells
• Plant trimmings
• Bread and grains

Bokashi and electric only:

• Meat and fish
• Dairy products
• Cooked foods

Avoid (all methods):

• Pet waste
• Diseased plants
• Treated wood

Pet Safety Considerations

If you have curious cats or dogs:

• Use sealed systems (bokashi or electric) that pets can’t access
• Place worm bins in closets or cabinets
• Never add pet waste—it contains pathogens
• Keep compost away from pet food areas

“Composting in an apartment is proof that sustainable living doesn’t require a lot of space—just a bit of intention.”

Using Your Finished Compost

Apartment compost is perfect for:

• Top-dressing container plants
• Mixing into potting soil for repotting
• Making compost tea for liquid fertilizer
• Starting seeds in nutrient-rich medium

Start small with a bokashi bucket or countertop composter, and you’ll be amazed how quickly it becomes second nature. Your plants—and the planet—will thank you.