Composting Tips and Information
Is Composting Easy?
Food scrap collection is easy!It's been pretty well established that composting can have a major impact (for the good!) on our environment. But....
You might be a bit hesitant to start collecting food scraps in your home. The most common concerns are:
- It's too messy!
- It's too difficult, and inconvenient!
- It's too smelly, and I'm worried about flies!
- It's just gross!
Keep reading for solutions to the most common concerns!
It's too messy!
The key to keeping your kitchen neat, clean and odor free are to place your scraps in a container that won't leak, and transfer them to your green Compost cart before they begin to break down.
We recommend using the 2-gallon kitchen pail provided by Recology San Mateo County and RethinkWaste. It's sturdy and designed to fit in just about any small space. There's a secure handle and a lid that locks in to easily close and stay closed. You can also buy your own if you prefer - several stores selling kitchenware offer countertop compost containers of different styles and price ranges.
You can line your pail with newspaper, a paper bag, or a compostable bag that meets Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) requirements. They can be found at Costco, Whole Foods, Mollie Stones, some Safeways, CVS and Walgreens, among other locations. There are also many other compostable bags that are available online or found at some stores. Find a full list on the Biodegradable Products Institute's web site.
You can also use a paper bag on its own, especially for bigger items such as pizza and waxy cardboard boxes, paper cups and plates. To control moisture, line the bag with newspaper or used paper towels. You can put vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and other leftovers inside; then roll the top of the paper bag shut and toss it in your green Compost cart.
Newspaper: Some people simply wrap up their scraps in newspaper like a burrito. Once it's wrapped up you can toss it in your kitchen pail to be emptied later, or drop it directly in your green Compost cart.
If you're concerned about any moisture at the bottom of the pail, you can line it with a paper towel or a piece of newspaper. They can go in the Compost cart along with your food scraps. People typically rinse their pail or container with a little soap and water after use.
*Please remember not to use plastic bags of any kind to collect your scraps. We cannot accept them in the composting program.
We recommend using the 2-gallon kitchen pail provided by Recology San Mateo County and RethinkWaste. It's sturdy and designed to fit in just about any small space. There's a secure handle and a lid that locks in to easily close and stay closed. You can also buy your own if you prefer - several stores selling kitchenware offer countertop compost containers of different styles and price ranges.You can line your pail with newspaper, a paper bag, or a compostable bag that meets Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) requirements. They can be found at Costco, Whole Foods, Mollie Stones, some Safeways, CVS and Walgreens, among other locations. There are also many other compostable bags that are available online or found at some stores. Find a full list on the Biodegradable Products Institute's web site.
You can also use a paper bag on its own, especially for bigger items such as pizza and waxy cardboard boxes, paper cups and plates. To control moisture, line the bag with newspaper or used paper towels. You can put vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and other leftovers inside; then roll the top of the paper bag shut and toss it in your green Compost cart.
Newspaper: Some people simply wrap up their scraps in newspaper like a burrito. Once it's wrapped up you can toss it in your kitchen pail to be emptied later, or drop it directly in your green Compost cart.If you're concerned about any moisture at the bottom of the pail, you can line it with a paper towel or a piece of newspaper. They can go in the Compost cart along with your food scraps. People typically rinse their pail or container with a little soap and water after use.
*Please remember not to use plastic bags of any kind to collect your scraps. We cannot accept them in the composting program.
It's too difficult and/or inconvenient!
Not really! Just place all food scraps from the preparation of meals and any leftovers into the kitchen pail or paper bag. Securely close the lid and put it away until it's been filled up and is ready to be tossed into your green Compost cart. It's actually pretty easy! Think about it this way: you put food waste in the garbage, right? So now just put it into a different colored cart - the green cart!
It's too smelly, and I'm worried about flies!
This is a common concern. If you leave food scraps unattended for days on end, it probably will start to smell - the same as garbage. We recommend emptying your pail once or every other day, before the material starts to break down. As for your Compost cart, lining or layering your scraps and leftovers with newspaper can definitely help, especially when the weather gets warm. Some people sprinkle baking soda in their cart, or keep food scraps in the refrigerator or freezer until collection day if it's warm out.
We think you'll find it's not so smelly after all.
If you're concerned about flies, some natural fly deterrents include citrus, lavender, eucalyptus or lemongrass oils. Place a few drops onto an absorbent cloth and leave it inside or on top of the cart, or pour a few drops in a spray bottle with water, shake well, and spray the inside of the lid. Apple cider vinegar works well too. Pour about a ¼ cup into a jar with a screw top lid that has a couple holes punched in it. Then add a couple drops of dish soap. They're attracted to the scent but get caught in the liquid.
We think you'll find it's not so smelly after all.
If you're concerned about flies, some natural fly deterrents include citrus, lavender, eucalyptus or lemongrass oils. Place a few drops onto an absorbent cloth and leave it inside or on top of the cart, or pour a few drops in a spray bottle with water, shake well, and spray the inside of the lid. Apple cider vinegar works well too. Pour about a ¼ cup into a jar with a screw top lid that has a couple holes punched in it. Then add a couple drops of dish soap. They're attracted to the scent but get caught in the liquid.
It's just gross! (Also known as the "Ick Factor")
Well, we might not be able to change your mind on this one, but give it a try. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised. We - and the earth - will thank you for it!
Printable Materials
Download great tips on how to use Compost and why gardeners consider it "black gold" here!
You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.
You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.