3 Composting Myths Debunked
Composting is a rewarding practice for so many reasons. It allows you to prevent waste by creating healthy soil, provides organic material to help store more water in the ground, and can even benefit your wallet by decreasing the need for frequent trash pickup. But we’ll be the first to admit that getting started with composting can be intimidating – especially with myths floating around! We’re here to dispel the three myths we hear most often to help give you confidence if you’re considering starting to compost at home!
1. “You have to have a lot of space to compost.”
Untrue! There are many factors that go into selecting the best type of composting method for your household. We recommend starting to audit how much organic waste is being produced and go from there. If you are a small household with only food scraps or don’t have much space, a worm bin would be the perfect addition to your home. Vermicomposting bins can range in size, are easy to D.I.Y., and can even be designed to fit under your sink, in your garage, or on your balcony!
2. “You need to have a garden to use your compost.”
Not necessarily! All plants love compost, including indoor house plants. If you don’t have a yard or room for a big garden, try using your compost in a few potted plants or gift the finished compost to a plant-loving neighbor or friend.
3. “Composting attracts pests and rodents.”
It doesn’t if you don’t give them an opportunity to get in! Using an enclosed compost bin or container is the best way to deter vermin from accessing your compost. Burying your food scraps in the center instead of leaving them on the top of the pile also prevents unwanted critters from turning your compost bin into a buffet. If you’re worried about bugs finding your kitchen caddy or the container you keep your food scraps in on your countertop, make sure to use a container with a lid that seals snug. You can also easily store food scraps in the fridge or freezer until you are able to add them to your bin.
The truth is that composting is a forgiving process and endlessly gratifying when you get the hang of it. Once you get started, diverting food waste and adding compost to the soil makes so much sense that there’s no going back! We like to say we’re compost crazy here…in a good way! 🙂