Did you know that food waste makes up approximately 30% of what we throw away? In Canada alone, over 2.2 million tonnes of edible food is wasted each year. Composting at home—even in small urban spaces—is a powerful way to reduce this waste while creating nutrient-rich soil for your plants.

Why Compost in the City?

Urban composting offers numerous benefits beyond waste reduction:

  • Reduces methane emissions from landfills (food waste in landfills produces this potent greenhouse gas)
  • Creates nutrient-rich soil for houseplants, container gardens, or community gardens
  • Saves money on fertilizers and potting soil
  • Reduces your carbon footprint by limiting waste transportation
  • Connects you to the natural cycles of decomposition and renewal

Environmental Impact

Every kilogram of food waste composted instead of landfilled prevents approximately 0.5 kg of CO₂ equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.

Composting Methods for Small Spaces

Don't have a backyard? No problem! Here are several composting methods perfect for apartments and small urban dwellings:

Vermicomposting (Worm Bin)

Red wiggler worms process food scraps quickly in a small, stackable bin system that can fit under your sink or on a balcony.

Pros:

  • Fast processing (2-3 months)
  • Minimal odor when maintained properly
  • Creates worm castings (premium fertilizer)

Cons:

  • Requires maintaining a worm population
  • Needs regular monitoring

Bokashi Composting

A Japanese method using beneficial microorganisms to ferment food waste in an airtight bucket, even accepting meat and dairy.

Pros:

  • Accepts all food waste including meat and dairy
  • Compact and odorless when sealed
  • Produces liquid fertilizer as a by-product

Cons:

  • Requires bokashi bran (fermentation starter)
  • Two-stage process (fermentation then burial)

Electric Composters

Modern countertop appliances that rapidly dehydrate and grind food waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Pros:

  • Super fast (24-48 hours)
  • No odor or pests
  • Handles most food waste

Cons:

  • Higher initial cost
  • Uses electricity
  • Limited capacity

Setting Up Your First Urban Compost System

Let's focus on setting up a beginner-friendly vermicomposting system, one of the most popular methods for apartment dwellers:

1

Gather Your Materials

  • Two stackable plastic bins (20-30L capacity) with lids
  • Drill (for air and drainage holes)
  • Shredded newspaper or cardboard
  • Garden soil or purchased compost (small amount)
  • Red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) - available online or at garden centers
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Tray for underneath the bins
2

Prepare Your Bins

  1. Drill 10-15 small holes (1/4 inch) in the bottom of the top bin for drainage
  2. Drill 15-20 small holes around the upper sides of the top bin for ventilation
  3. The bottom bin collects liquid (no holes needed)
  4. Place the bin with holes inside the solid bin
3

Create Bedding

  1. Fill the top bin 1/2 to 2/3 full with shredded newspaper or cardboard
  2. Moisten the bedding (should feel like a wrung-out sponge)
  3. Add a handful of garden soil or purchased compost
  4. Mix well to provide grit for the worms' digestion
4

Add Your Worms

  1. Start with about 500-1000 red wigglers (approximately 1lb)
  2. Gently place them on top of the bedding
  3. They'll burrow into the bedding to avoid light
5

Begin Feeding

  1. Start with small amounts of food scraps (about 1 cup per week)
  2. Bury food in a different area of the bin each time
  3. Gradually increase the amount as the worm population grows

What Not to Compost

Avoid putting these items in your worm bin:

  • Meat, fish, and dairy (attracts pests and smells)
  • Citrus peels and onions (too acidic for worms)
  • Oily foods
  • Pet waste
  • Diseased plants

Troubleshooting Your Urban Compost

My compost bin smells bad. What should I do?

Odor usually indicates the bin is too wet or has too much nitrogen-rich (green) material:

  • Add more dry, carbon-rich materials like shredded paper
  • Check that drainage holes aren't blocked
  • Make sure you're not overfeeding
  • Bury food scraps completely

I see tiny flies in my compost. Are they harmful?

These are likely fruit flies or fungus gnats. While not harmful to your compost, they can be annoying:

  • Bury food scraps deeper
  • Add a layer of dry bedding on top
  • Consider freezing food scraps before adding to kill fly eggs
  • Use a fine mesh cover under your bin lid

My worms are trying to escape. What's wrong?

Worms typically try to escape if conditions are unfavorable:

  • Check moisture levels (too wet or too dry)
  • Ensure the pH isn't too acidic (add crushed eggshells)
  • Make sure temperatures aren't extreme (13-25°C is ideal)
  • Avoid overfeeding

Harvesting Your Compost

After 3-6 months, your worm bin will contain dark, rich compost ready for harvesting:

Light Method

  1. Move all content to one side of the bin
  2. Add fresh bedding and food to the empty side
  3. The worms will migrate to the food over 1-2 weeks
  4. Harvest the finished compost from the original side

Dump and Sort Method

  1. Dump contents onto a plastic sheet in bright light
  2. Form small piles - worms will move away from light to center of piles
  3. Remove the outer layers of compost
  4. Return worms and unfinished materials to bin

Using Your Urban Compost

Congratulations! You've now created "black gold" for your plants. Here's how to use it:

  • Potting Mix: Mix 1 part compost with 3 parts commercial potting soil for houseplants
  • Top Dressing: Sprinkle a thin layer (1/2 inch) on top of existing soil in plant pots
  • Seedling Mix: Mix 1 part compost with 4 parts seed starting mix for stronger seedlings
  • Compost Tea: Steep compost in water to create a liquid fertilizer
  • Share with Neighbors: Offer extra compost to community gardens or neighbors

Urban composting is a simple yet powerful way to reduce waste and create a circular system in your home. Whether you choose worms, bokashi, or an electric system, you're taking a meaningful step toward sustainable living—even in a small space.

At EcoGlow Organics, we're committed to reducing food waste throughout our supply chain, but household composting is an essential part of a zero-waste future. We'd love to hear about your composting journey in the comments below!

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