If you aren't one of the lucky few who live in an apartment building that offers a food waste bin you might think that living in an apartment or condo would impede on your ability to compost food waste since you don't have a backyard, but this is not the case. There are options for reducing the amount of food waste going into the garbage for you too. A lot of people, especially apartment dwellers, are actually unaware of what composting even is, so first things first, let's give composting a definition. Composting is the natural process of recycling decomposing organic material and turning it into a nutrient rich soil called compost. At home composting is an accelerated version of the natural process. The compost produced can be put back into nature, the nutrients are used to grow new plants, and the cycle of life is continued!  

Approximately 25% of household trash being thrown out is food waste. Composting can play a large role in reducing the amount of garbage being put in landfills, which are currently filling fast. Because landfills are pretty much a giant hole in the ground lined with plastic, the natural composting process is slowed down exponentially. The process requires oxygen, which is not abound in a plastic lined hole; and once the organic matter does decompose it isn't being put to good use because what is it going to supply nutrients for...the plastic Barbie car next to it?

Now that we all know what composting is and why it is important let's learn how to compost food waste in an apartment! Just because you don't have a backyard with a lot of space for a compost bin and your own yard waste doesn't mean you can't compost, you just do so on a smaller scale in an apartment. There are two basic types of composting which are appropriate for an apartment bin composting and vermicomposting. Bin composting can be done in a small container placed conveniently on the counter or under the sink. You can find an attractive bin for your counter top for under $30. It's not recommended to make your own compost bin out of an old container because there will more than likely be unwanted odors. If do want to make your own compost bin, make sure you put a charcoal filter in the lid. The charcoal filter will help reduce any odors.

To start composting you will need some soil or fertilizer. Place a three-inch layer of soil into the box. You will also need to sprinkle in a handful or two of dry bedding. This can be leaves, newspaper (no colored inks or glossy mags), straw, dry grass clippings, cardboard, or nutshells. Then layer in your compostable food waste. Shred, pulverize, cut your compostables as finely as possible to speed up the process. Layer equal parts food waste and bedding. Stir the compost every week or two and add a handful of fresh soil or fertilizer every two weeks.  In a month or so you will have usable compost.

Some tips on what to compost are:

1. Anything you would throw down the garbage disposal can be composted.

2. Items of organic origin can be composted, like fruit pits, egg shells, and juice. You can also compost some unusual things like latex condoms, small paper scraps and receipts, matches, hair, hamster cage sawdust, old beer, the contents of your vacuum cleaner, and other organic but inedible items.

3. Do not compost meat, bones or animal by-products other than milk and cheese. Fats take a long time to break down and attract rodents and insects.

The second type of apartment appropriate composting is vermicomposting. Vermicomposting utilizes worms in the composting process.  The worms eat the food waste and in turn their waste is a nutrient rich soil.  Watch this video for a great vermicomposting how to:

Just because you don't have a yard to fertilize at your apartment doesn't mean you can't put your compost to good use. There are plenty of options for using your compost once it is made.

1. Potted plants.
2. Outside bushes.
3. Flower pots.
4. Community garden.
5. The park.
6. Offer it up as fertilizer on Craigslist or Freecycle.org.
   
7. Rooftop garden.