The benefits of recycling are numerous; it really is no wonder that many places now require that residents use those special bins for their plastic, paper, and aluminum products. But what about food products? Did you know that yard trimmings and food scraps make up a littler over a quarter of total U.S. waste? Yes, even those organic apple cores that went into the garbage can produce environmentally harmful methane gas. So you live in an urban environment where the only outdoor space is your fire escape – making an ecologically and economically wise decision with your food scraps is still within reach.

Composting is the process of rapidly decaying organic waste into a mixture rich in carbon and nitrogen. This is accomplished by a 50/50 mix of “green” and “brown” matter. “Green” matter usually consists of bark, leaves, sawdust, and paper while “brown” matter includes food scraps and coffee grounds. But before you throw everything into one container and forget about it under your sink, here are some easy guidelines on executing composting materials the right way:

To Worm or Not To Worm

There are two rules of thumb here – composting with and without worms – and the rules are very different. Choosing to compost without worms means you need a community composting program, yard large enough for a compost vessel, or a city bio-waste program. We are going to focus on good old-fashioned DIY composting, so you can see the results in your own home. The best worms are red worms or red wigglers, which can be purchased at an online worm store (yes, they exist). Before you worry about having worms in your home, fear not – these critters are magicians when it comes to composting. Using worms typically results in little to no odor and efficient turn around time. You’ll want to keep your bin inside as worms are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Add only as much food than the worms can easily eat, cut up or shred food into small pieces, and keep a good mix of brown and green matter.

The Right Stuff

Unfortunately, not everything is compostable. Those worms are scavengers, but picky ones at that. Here is your list:

YES: bread, grain, cereal, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, fruits, vegetables

NO: meat, dairy products, fatty/oily food, animal/baby feces

Getting Started

All you need is a sealed container with a few holes in it so oxygen can travel. You can use an aluminum or plastic trashcan, an under-the-sink compost bin, or a stone/ceramic container of your choice. Fill your container halfway with dry leaves, sawdust, or newspaper. Add food scraps on a regular basis and mix with a gardening fork, or by rolling the can around on its side. Compost should be kept moist but not soggy, adding more dry material regularly.

How Long Will it Take?

If all goes well and as planned, you should have usable material in about 1-2 months. The material will look dank, brown, and be free of large chunks. Use your homemade compost in your window box garden, in a small garden on your fire escape, or in a hanging pot with herbs or tomatoes. Give some to a friend if you have enough – it might entice them to start their own composting bin!

Happy Eating!