How to Compost Food Scraps at Home: A Simple Guide to Reducing Food Waste

Composting Food Scraps at home is a great way to reduce food waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Instead of sending food scraps to landfill, where they contribute to harmful methane emissions, you can turn them into compost that benefits the environment. Whether you have a big garden or a small balcony, there's a composting method for everyone.

Here you'll find explanations of the different types of home composting available, their pros and cons, and some top tips to compost successfully and sustainably. I'll also tell you what you can and cannot compost and troubleshoot some common problems. For more tips on reducing Food Waste, check out my Managing Food Waste at Home easy guide.

Composting is a great way to reduce your foodprint, which is is the total environmental impact of the food you eat. For tips on reducing your overall carbon footprint at home, check out these eco-friendly habits at home. For energy and money saving tips when cooking, go to Top Energy Efficient Cooking Tips: Saving Money in the Kitchen. You can also download my free toolkit to help you reduce your foodwaste.

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Why Is Compost Important?

Composting is a natural process and the most eco-friendly and efficient way of getting rid of food waste and scraps.

✅ Reduces Food Waste - Keeps food scraps out of landfill, where they release methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.
✅ Improves Soil Health - Adds essential nutrients to the soil, making plants healthier.
✅ Cuts Down on Chemical Fertilizers - Provides a natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers.
✅ Helps the Environment - Reduces landfill waste and lowers carbon emissions.
✅ Saves Money - Less need for store-bought fertilizers and soil conditioners.

Types of Home Composting

There are different types of home composting available, depending on your space, lifestyle, and how much food waste you generate. Here's a quick overview of the most common types and their pros and cons.

1. Traditional Outdoor Composting (Compost Bin or Heap)

This is the most common method for those with a garden. It involves layering food scraps, garden waste, and other compostable materials in a bin or open pile, allowing it to break down naturally.

✅ Pros:
✔ Simple and low-cost
✔ Can handle a variety of food and garden waste
✔ Produces rich compost for plants and vegetables

❌ Cons:
✖ Requires outdoor space
✖ Can take several months to break down
✖ Needs occasional turning to aerate and speed up decomposition

Sustainability Tip

Use a mix of "greens" (food scraps) and "browns" (dry leaves, cardboard, paper) to keep the compost balanced and avoid bad smells.

2. Worm Composting (Vermicomposting)

This method uses composting worms (usually red wigglers) to break down food scraps into a nutrient-rich fertilizer called worm castings. It's ideal for small spaces and indoor composting.

✅ Pros:
✔ Perfect for small homes, apartments, or indoor composting
✔ Fast decomposition process
✔ Produces highly nutritious compost and liquid fertilizer

❌ Cons:
✖ Requires regular maintenance and care for the worms
✖ Cannot compost citrus, onions, or too much acidic food
✖ Works best at moderate temperatures (worms dislike extreme heat or cold)

Sustainability Tip

Place your worm bin in a cool, shaded area to keep the worms happy and working efficiently.

3. Bokashi Composting (Fermentation Method)

Bokashi composting is a fermentation process using special Bokashi bran, which contains beneficial microbes. It works in an airtight bin, making it great for indoor composting.

✅ Pros:
✔ Can handle all food waste, including meat and dairy
✔ Compact and ideal for small spaces
✔ Quick process - scraps ferment in 2-4 weeks

❌ Cons:
✖ Requires Bokashi bran, which needs to be purchased regularly
✖ Does not fully decompose food scraps - they still need to be buried or composted further
✖ Can produce a strong smell if not maintained properly

Sustainability Tip

Once fermented, bury Bokashi waste in soil or a compost bin to complete the decomposition process.

4. Electric Composting (Food Recyclers)

Electric composters, like Lomi or FoodCycler, break down food waste quickly using heat and aeration. They produce a dry, soil-like material in just a few hours.

✅ Pros:
✔ Super fast - compost in just a few hours
✔ Works indoors with minimal effort
✔ No odors or pests

❌ Cons:
✖ Expensive upfront cost
✖ Uses electricity, which isn't as eco-friendly as natural composting
✖ End product is not as nutrient-rich as traditional compost

Sustainability Tip

If you use an electric composter, mix the final product into garden soil or compost bins for better results.

5. Underground Digestion (Burying Method) - Simple & Low-Maintenance

Burying food waste directly in the ground allows it to decompose naturally without attracting pests or creating odors.

✅ Pros:
✔ No need for a compost bin - great for people with gardens.
✔ Keeps pests away when buried deep enough.
✔ Helps improve soil health.

❌ Cons:
✖ Takes longer to break down than other methods.
✖ Not ideal for small spaces or rental properties.

How to Compost Meat by Burying it

Dig a hole at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep.
Place food scraps inside and cover with soil.
Mark the spot and avoid digging in the same area for a few months.

🌿 Pro Tip

If you have a garden, bury food waste between rows of plants to enrich the soil naturally.

Composting Do's & Don'ts

To get the best results from composting, here's a quick guide on what to add and avoid:

In theory, all food waste is biodegradable, but not all food scraps should be composted in a regular garden or backyard compost bin. Some items decompose too slowly, attract pests, or cause odors, making them tricky to handle. However, with the right composting method, nearly any food waste can be composted!

What Food Waste Can Go in a Garden Compost Bin?

If you're using a traditional compost bin or pile, focus on plant-based food scraps that break down easily. A good garden compost needs a balance of "greens" (nitrogen-rich materials) and "browns" (carbon-rich materials) to decompose properly. Remember to add some 'dry browns' to your compost such as carboard, sawdust or non glossy paper.

✅ Safe for Regular Composting:
✔ Fruit & vegetable scraps (peels, cores, stems)
✔ Coffee grounds & tea bags (check for plastic in tea bags!)
✔ Eggshells (crush them for faster breakdown)
✔ Rice, pasta & bread (in small amounts, as they attract pests)
✔ Nutshells (except walnut shells, which can be toxic to plants)
✔ Herbs & spices
✔ Cooked vegetables (as long as they are not oily or salty)

Pro Tip

Chop up larger scraps into smaller pieces to help them decompose faster!

What Food Waste Is Difficult to Compost? (But Not Impossible!)

Some foods don't break down well in a traditional compost bin.

❌ Avoid the following in your garden compost bin:

Meat, Fish, and Bones - Attract pests and produce strong odors.
Dairy Products (Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Butter) - Slow to decompose and can cause bad smells.
Oily or Greasy Foods - Coats compost materials, slowing decomposition and attracting pests.
Citrus Peels & Onion Skins (in Large Amounts) - High acidity can slow microbial activity.
Cooked Foods (Especially with Salt, Oil, or Spices) - Can attract rodents and disrupt compost balance.
Eggshells (if not crushed) - Take a long time to break down unless finely ground.
Processed Foods - Contain preservatives that slow decomposition.
Large Fruit Pits (Avocado, Peach, Cherry, etc.) - Extremely slow to decompose.
Hard Shells (Nuts, Seafood Shells, Corn Cobs, etc.) - Take years to break down unless crushed.
Synthetic Tea Bags & Coffee Pods - Some contain plastic that doesn't decompose.

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Best Alternative Methods for Hard-to-Compost Foods:

However, there are other composting methods available for some of those hard to compost foods.

Bokashi composting handles meat, dairy, and oily foods by fermenting them in an airtight bin.
Hot composting (130-160°F / 55-70°C) can break down meat, dairy, and citrus quickly.
Burying food scraps (deep trench composting) is an easy way to dispose of fish, meat, and dairy safely.

Note

UPF's (Ultra Processed Foods) can be difficult to compost as the preservatives mean they decompose very slowly and they may introduce chemicals into your compost bin.

Can you compost Fish Skin?

Yes, you can compost fish skin, but it requires the right approach to prevent bad odors and keep pests away. Fish scraps, including skin, bones, and even guts, are rich in nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, making them excellent for compost. However, their strong smell and tendency to attract animals mean they need to be handled carefully.

If you want quick, odor-free composting, Bokashi composting or hot composting are your best options. If you have a garden, simply bury fish scraps deep in the soil.

Common Composting Problems & How to Fix Them

Composting is a great way to reduce food waste and create nutrient-rich soil, but sometimes things go wrong! If your compost smells bad, isn't breaking down, or is attracting pests, don't worry-these are common issues with simple fixes.

Here's a list of some common composting problems and how to solve them.

1. Compost Smells Bad (Like Rot or Ammonia) 🤢

Problem:
If your compost smells sour, rotten, or like ammonia, it's likely too wet or has too much nitrogen-rich material (greens like food scraps & grass clippings).

✅ Solution:
✔ Add more "browns" (dry leaves, cardboard, straw) to absorb excess moisture.
✔ Turn the compost more often to improve airflow and prevent anaerobic conditions.
✔ Avoid adding too much-wet food waste all at once.

Pro Tip

A healthy compost should smell earthy, not like rotting food!

2. Compost Is Too Wet & Slimy 💦

Problem:
A compost pile that's too wet can become slimy, smelly, and slow to decompose. This happens when there's too much water-rich food waste and not enough dry materials.

✅ Solution:
✔ Mix in dry materials like shredded paper, sawdust, or dry leaves.
✔ Turn the pile regularly to increase airflow and dry it out.
✔ Cover your compost bin or keep it in a dry spot if it's exposed to rain.

3. Compost Is Too Dry & Not Breaking Down 🌵

Problem:
If your compost is too dry, decomposition slows down, and materials take forever to break down. This often happens when there are too many "browns" (like dry leaves or paper) and not enough moisture.

✅ Solution:
✔ Add water until the compost feels like a damp sponge (not soaking wet).
✔ Mix in more "greens" like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, or coffee grounds.
✔ Turn the pile to help distribute moisture evenly.

4. Compost Is Attracting Pests 🐀🐜

Problem:
If your compost is attracting rats, flies, you may be adding the wrong food scraps or leaving food too exposed.

✅ Solution:
✔ Avoid putting meat, dairy, oily foods, or large cooked leftovers in a regular compost bin.
✔ Bury food scraps under dry leaves or soil to reduce odors.
✔ Use a sealed compost bin with a lid to keep animals out.
✔ If fruit flies are a problem, cover food waste with a layer of brown materials (like cardboard or shredded newspaper).

5. Compost Pile Isn't Heating Up 🔥

Problem:
Composting works best when temperatures are 130-160°F (55-70°C), but sometimes a compost pile stays too cool, slowing down decomposition.

✅ Solution:
✔ Add more "greens" (food scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds) to increase nitrogen.
✔ Turn the compost pile to increase oxygen flow and help microbes work faster.
✔ Make sure your pile is big enough-at least 1 cubic metre (3 feet wide & high) for hot composting.

Pro Tip

Use a compost thermometer to check if the temperature is high enough for fast decomposition!

6. Compost Has Large Chunks That Won't Break Down

Problem:
If your compost has big, undecomposed pieces, like avocado pits, corn cobs, or woody stems, they're taking too long to break down.

✅ Solution:
✔ Chop up large scraps before adding them to the compost bin.
✔ Avoid adding thick branches or tough materials unless they're shredded.
✔ Turn the pile to ensure even decomposition.

Pro Tip

Some tough items, like citrus peels & onion skins, take longer to break down, so add them in moderation.

7. Mold or Fungi Growing in the Compost 🍄

Problem:
If you see white, gray, or fuzzy mold in your compost, don't worry-it's a natural part of the process! However, excessive mold could mean the pile isn't getting turned enough or has too much moisture.

✅ Solution:
✔ Turn the compost more often to mix oxygen into the pile.
✔ If it's too wet, add more browns like shredded newspaper or dry leaves.
✔ Leave woody materials like small branches if you see white mold-they help break down tough fibers.

Pro Tip

Fungi and mold are actually good for compost and help decompose organic matter! Only worry if your compost smells bad or is too wet.

8. Worms Are Missing or Dying in a Worm Bin 🪱

Problem:
If your worm composting bin (vermicompost) has no worms, they might be too hot, too wet, or lacking food.

✅ Solution:
✔ Keep the bin in a cool, shaded area (worms prefer 55-77°F / 13-25°C).
✔ Add food scraps gradually, so it doesn't rot before worms eat it.
✔ Make sure the bin isn't too wet or too dry-aim for a damp sponge texture.
✔ Avoid adding citrus, spicy foods, or too much onion/garlic, which worms dislike.

Pro Tip

If worms are escaping, the bin may be too acidic-sprinkle crushed eggshells or a small amount of garden lime to balance pH.

Final Thoughts: Small Steps, Big Impact

Composting at home is an easy and effective way to reduce food waste and live more sustainably. Whether you have a garden or just a small kitchen corner, there's a composting method that can work for you.

By turning food scraps into valuable compost, you're not only reducing landfill waste but also supporting healthy soil, plants, and the planet. 🌱♻

Why Is Compost Important?

Types of Home Composting

1. Traditional Outdoor Composting (Compost Bin or Heap)