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2023-04-17

Composting Household and/or Garden Waste

Are you thinking about starting composting? Here you will find tips and advice to get started!


To make things easier, we have gathered some essential information that might be useful before you begin. Your guide to a greener environment and garden! It is also possible to compost household and latrine waste together; please read our post about what to consider and how to compost in this case.


What is a composter and why should you compost?

A composter is part of a recycling system. It is a place or a container where biodegradable household and/or garden waste is placed and then turned into soil, which you can reuse. Everything happens naturally as the compost should only consist of biodegradable material.

Composting is an excellent soil improver. Garden compost increases the humus content in the soil while household compost adds nutrients—a perfect combination! Composting your household and/or garden waste is good for the environment, bacteria, and small creatures. Moreover, you are reusing what you have composted—it doesn't get better than that!

 

Things to consider when composting

> Placement: finding a good spot for your compost is important. Choose a shady place and make sure it has a draining or tight base. Consider placing the compost on a flat surface and close to the house. However, do not forget your neighbors when choosing the location.

> Composting food waste: dyou need an approved container that can withstand rodent attacks.

> Composting garden waste: you do not need a container, but it can be practical.

> For winter: ideally cover the garden compost with leaves.

> Always dig out a compost from underneath. 

> Composting when it's cold? It works perfectly fine!

> The compost is ready when you have coarse-grained soil, which can take between 2–4 months and up to a year depending on the material in the compost. 

 


What can you/can't you compost?

It shouldn't be difficult or troublesome when it comes to taking care of your compost, or knowing what you can put in it. When you think about it, there are actually more materials than you might expect that can be composted, great isn't it?

Can be composted Cannot be composted
From the kitchen: From the garden: Plastic, metal, glass, rubber, and textiles
> Dairy products > Weeds, grass clippings Chemicals and other hazardous waste
> Meat, fish, and shellfish leftovers > Needles and leaves Cigarette butts
> Eggs and eggshells > Fallen fruit Lime and wood ash
> Vegetable and fruit leftovers > Cut plant parts Materials from cats, birds, and rodents
> Cut flowers and potted plants
> Egg cartons and household paper
> Coffee grounds, filter bags, and tea leaves  


What can you use compostable material for?

Since composted material is biologically degradable household and/or garden waste that has been broken down into soil, you can easily use it in your garden and flower beds. Convenient and simple!

Tip! Keep in mind that household compost contains a lot of nutrients and therefore should be mixed with regular garden soil. One part household compost to three parts garden soil.


Common problems that may occur

Although composting is easy and not particularly demanding, certain problems can sometimes arise. This is absolutely normal and very common when it comes to composting household and/or garden waste.  

> Too wet compost: feed it with drier waste such as garden waste, feeding it with coarser garden material can be good to create air pockets

> Too dry compost: water it gently or feed it with wetter waste. Probably, the compost has received too much dry waste

> The compost smells: this can be due to many things, is it poorly aerated or too wet? Try to stir more frequently and mix in materials that absorb moisture

> Flies/Maggot larvae in the compost: stir and aerate the compost. Keep in mind that when new waste is added, it should be stirred down a little and covered with material that has already begun to decompose


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Good luck! 


You can also download the composting guide here!

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