Choosing a Composting Method
There are various methods for home composting, and the best one for you depends on the amount of waste you generate and the space you have. No matter which method you choose, maintaining the right balance between carbon and nitrogen is crucial for effective composting. Home compostable packaging is typically high in carbon, so it’s essential to balance it with nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps and lawn clippings to create an optimal composting environment.
Before composting, make sure to remove any non-compostable elements like labels, release liners, or adhesives.
Outdoor Composting Methods
- Piles/Heaps: Many people use bins, but some simply pile everything on the ground. Both methods work well as long as the pile is maintained.
- Buried Composting: Compost can be buried directly in the garden using methods like trench composting, where compostable material is buried in a trench and then planted over.
- On-Site Garden Piles: Material can be composted directly in the garden with traditional hot or cold piles, sheet composting (spreading it over the plot), or trench composting. These methods are ideal if most of your compostable material comes from the garden.
- Outdoor Digesters: Digesters are enclosed systems that break down organic material, including meat and dairy, but they’re not suited for large quantities of yard waste.
Indoor Composting Methods
- Vermicomposting: This popular method uses worms to break down organic material and is known for producing high-quality compost. It's great for small spaces.
- Bokashi: This method uses a microorganism-inoculated substance to anaerobically decompose organic waste, including dairy and meat, in a small container. The process creates a liquid and a well-decomposed material that can be added to compost piles or directly to the soil.
Steps to Compost Home Compostable Packaging
- Sort and Shred: Start by collecting packaging with a certified home compostable logo. To speed up the composting process, shred the packaging into smaller pieces before adding it to your compost bin.
- Mix with Other Materials: Combine the packaging with food scraps, yard waste, and other compostable items to maintain a balanced mix of carbon and nitrogen.
- Water the Compost: Keep the compost moist, but avoid overwatering to ensure proper decomposition.
- Turn the Compost: Turn the pile every few weeks to promote aeration and help bacteria break down the materials faster.
- Be Patient: Compostable packaging should begin disintegrating within 180 days and fully degrade within 12 months, leaving no toxic residue.
Note: Methods like Lomi or Kitchen Countertop Food Recyclers are not designed to process compostable packaging effectively.