Think composting requires a backyard, a giant bin and plenty of garden space? Think again. Whether you live in an apartment, have a tiny balcony or simply don’t have room for a traditional compost heap, there are several ways to turn your kitchen scraps into something useful.
Gone are the days of overpriced nursery compost and the guilt that comes with throwing away mouldy fruit or soggy veggies you never got around to eating. From compact Bokashi bins and worm farms to electric food recyclers, here’s how to choose the best kitchen composting method for your space – and what you can and can’t put in each one.
Can you really compost without a garden?
Yes. Compost is packed with nutrients for your houseplants and stoep or kitchen vegetable garden needs to thrive. However, the composting method you choose matters.
Traditional composting relies on a balance of organic material, moisture and oxygen – which makes a large outdoor space useful. Indoor systems work differently. The Bokashi method, for example, ferments food waste in an airtight container, rather than traditionally composting it, while worm farms rely on worms to break down organic matter.
The biggest benefit? You can divert a surprising amount of your food waste from the bin, even if your “garden” consists of three or four big pots on your stoep.
How to compost kitchen scraps in a small space
There are 3 easy and achievable ways to compost in a small space, namely:
- Bokashi: best for small kitchens
- Worm farm: best if you have a balcony
- Electric food recyclers: best for convenience
What you’ll need to get started:
- A sealed countertop composting bin (store-bought or homemade)
- Compostable bin liners or newspapers
- One of the following composting bins: Bokashi bin; Worm bin or Electric bin
A step-by-step guide
1. Bokashi bin
- Layer kitchen scraps with bokashi bran (contains microorganisms that will ferment the scraps)
- Seal the bokashi bin and allow it to ferment for 2 to 4 weeks for “pre-compost”
- Break down the “pre-compost” further over another 2 to 4 weeks by mixing it into:
- The base of the pot plants before planting new seeds or seedlings
- Mix with potting soil to top up indoor pot plants
- Mix with topsoil to dig into garden beds
- Use the liquid, often called bokashi juice or tea, as a liquid fertiliser for plants (mix 1 part bokashi tea with 100 parts water, i.e. 1 cup bokashi tea with 100 cups or 25 litres of water)
2. Worm bin
- Collect kitchen scraps and add to the worm bin daily or weekly
- Be sure to add enough bedding (like shredded newspaper) to soak up excess liquids, and keep the worms cool and aerated (by gently mixing the new and old scraps)
- Check in on your worms’ progress over 1 to 2 months
- Harvest the worm castings (AKA compost) and use directly in pot plants or to fertilise gardens
- Use the worm bin tea to make liquid fertiliser (mix 1 part worm bin tea with 100 parts water)
3. Electric composting bin
- Collect enough kitchen scraps to fill the electric composting bin
- Press start or initiate the beginning of the electric bin’s cycle
- In a few hours (3 to 24, depending on the machine), you’ll get dry composted material
- Use directly in pot plants or to fertilise your garden
So, which one should you choose?
Choose Bokashi if: you live in an apartment, have limited space and want to process a wide range of kitchen waste.
Choose a worm farm if: you have a balcony, patio or sheltered outdoor space and like the idea of producing worm castings.
Choose an electric food recycler if: convenience is your priority and you’re happy to pay for an appliance and electricity.
Choose traditional composting if: you have a garden and enough space for a conventional compost system.
The dos and don’ts of composting
Do compost these:
- Fruit and veggie scraps
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags (remove any plastic mesh)
- Crushed eggshells
- Unbleached paper towels, serviettes, newspaper, and cardboard
- Bread crusts
Don’t compost these:
- Oily foods
- Meat, bones, or fish (unless you’re using a bokashi bin)
- Dairy (unless you’re using a bokashi bin)
- Specifically for worm bins: excess citrus (worms hate them)
- Plastic or foil
- Glossy paper
Bonus: Smell-free composting tips
- Freeze food scraps until ready to compost
- Rinse your bin regularly between composting cycles
- Avoid overloading with one type of scrap (like mouldy fruits or citrus), make sure to mix food scraps with paper scraps
Also See: Upcycling ingredients: How to give your kitchen scraps a second life
Upcycling ingredients: How to give your kitchen scraps a second life
