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What if I live in an apartment and can't set up a compost pile?

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist
Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Kathryn is the author of two books focusing on sustainability, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and 101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen. She is the spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, has been featured by the Guardian, CNN, Refinery29, and Bustle, and has a following on instagram of over 700k.

Kathryn Kellogg

Sustainability Specialist

Expert Answer

Consider setting up a worm bin. Worm bins use worms to turn food scraps into soil called vermicompost, and they're really good for apartments.

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Question

What can I use for compost if I don't have a garden?

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist
Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Kathryn is the author of two books focusing on sustainability, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and 101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen. She is the spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, has been featured by the Guardian, CNN, Refinery29, and Bustle, and has a following on instagram of over 700k.

Kathryn Kellogg

Sustainability Specialist

Expert Answer

Look for an affordable private composting service as an alternate option. If you live in a place without a garden area, or if your city doesn't have a municipal composting service, there are many private organizations that provide composting as a service. They'll give you a bucket for compost and come to pick it up, and you get free compost anytime you need it!

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Question

Why does compost need sunshine?

Community Answer

Sunshine provides heat. This heat is needed to keep the composting process going.

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Question

Can you add shredded cardboard?

SGrosjean

Community Answer

Yes, unless it has a coating on it. Plain corrugated cardboard that has been shredded will usually biodegrade very quickly.

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Question

I'm just starting up, what is best for the base?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Grass clippings or leaves work well.

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Can I use shredded paper in my compost?

Community Answer

Yes, provided that there is no color print on it.

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Question

Will adding moldy vegetables help or hurt the compost? The compost bin I started this summer smells like real, rich dirt from Kansas, unlike the sandy soil we have here in the foothills above the Mojave Desert.

Donagan

Top Answerer

Moldy vegetables are fine. It sounds like your compost is perfect!

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Question

How many days does it take for the compost heap to become useful compost?

SGrosjean

Community Answer

It depends on the weather conditions and the contents of your compost pile, but most well tended piles take about 2 to 3 months to become useful compost.

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Question

Can I used fruit like apples, watermelon rinds, pears, etc.?

Community Answer

Yes, but I found that this attracts lots of ants and other bugs.

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Question

I've heard using pine is really acidic and should not be used in a compost pile. True?

SGrosjean

Community Answer

While pine needles are acidic when they fall off a tree, if they are added in moderation and completely composted, they won't hurt your compost. Keep in mind, however, that they can take a long time to completely biodegrade.

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Question

Can I use the corn husks for anything?

Community Answer

You can certainly compost the corn husks. Corn cobs can be composted as well, but you may need to break them into smaller parts to decompose.

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Question

Is used straw and hay from a goat OK to use as compost?

Community Answer

Yes. Even the goats droppings can be used in a compost, as long as the goat eats ONLY vegetables.

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Question

Can I put used potting soil in my compost bin?

Community Answer

Absolutely, although it might be worth checking to make sure it doesn't contain any plastic or non-compostable pieces.

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Question

When taking the lid off my in-ground composter, I become aware of a pig farm-like stench. What does this smell mean? The organic material placed in the composter does not seem to be breaking down.

SGrosjean

Community Answer

A bad smell usually means you have too much moisture or not enough air circulation. Try adding dry materials, mixing the compost, and letting it dry out a bit.

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Question

Do I have to add worms in the compost bin?

SGrosjean

Community Answer

No. While worms can help you make compost quicker, a compost pile without worms will still become compost.

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Question

Can I use shredded office paper (white, bleached)?

Community Answer

Avoid putting any bleached paper into the ground; the bleach can soak into the ground and contaminate the soil. It would be better to just recycle it instead.

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Question

May I put a lid on it?

Community Answer

Yes. It can help keep the smell in the bin. You can find special compost lids online.

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Question

Does it matter whether the box is opaque or translucent?

Community Answer

Materials that aren't see-through, like wood and plastic, are best. Translucent materials reflect light and can make the compost too hot.

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Question

Do I need to add lime?

Community Answer

Lime isn't necessary for most compost bins, and can result in a loss of nitrogen. However, if you have a compost bin with a lot of highly acidic materials, such as pine needles or fruit waste, add a small amount of lime (1 cup per 25 cubic feet of compost) to balance the pH.

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Question

Why can't I compost fish bones? The heating process kills off bad bacteria like how it does in cooking and it's a great source of phosphorus. Is there another reason I should be aware of?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Bones are not recommended simply because they take so long to decompose. You could use ground-up bones or bonemeal.

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Question

Can I put mushrooms into my compost?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, you can put anything organic into your compost - anything from the plant world that is or was alive.

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Question

What features are a must when buying a compost bin, what does one look for and are worms essential?

Community Answer

Worms are a must for the decomposition from worm waste to soil matter. Aeration is key to a good compost so look for one that supports aeration. You also should determine what size compost bin would work best for you and your needs.

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Question

Do worms crawl out of composting bins?

Community Answer

They can, but they will stay if the conditions are right.

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Question

Can I use shells from the beach?

Community Answer

Yes, shells from the beach can be used. However, you would need to crush the shells first by putting them in a plastic bag and beating them with a spoon.

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Question

Should a compost bin be left in the summer sun or a shaded area?

Wikihowuser0246

Community Answer

It depends on the climate where you live. If the air is humid, you do not need shade to help retain moisture. However, if the air is dry, a lid or some shade might help.

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Question

Can I use on old dryer tumbler?

Community Answer

A washer tumbler would be better, as it has the necessary holes to provide aeration.

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Question

How long does it take for a compost pile to grow?

Community Answer

The compost pile doesn't grow in size. As the compost material decomposes, the size of the compost pile will decrease by approximately 30% from its original size at the end of the composting process.

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Question

How do I compost when I've got animals that want to eat out of it?

Community Answer

You can make a little fence around it, or you can make a lid to put on it and make sure the animals can't take off the lid.

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Question

Can I compost in the winter months with vegetable scraps, coffee grinds, and paper?

Community Answer

Yes, but decomposition will be slow, and may stop at around freezing. You could warm the compost by covering it or surrounding it with straw bales.

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Question

Can I use leaves with blackspot?

Community Answer

No, plants contaminated with any sort of disease or fungus shouldn't be composted. Most fungi and disease can survive the composting process.

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