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Apartment Composting: 5 Easy Methods

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Apartment composting – is it doable?

Composting indoors is entirely doable, even without a backyard. With a little planning and the right tools, you can compost in your apartment, cut down on trash, and give back to the earth!

In this guide, I’ll cover 5 simple methods, including step-by-step instructions for each. You’ll learn what you need, how to get started, and the benefits of each. Let’s dive in!

Table of contents:

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Why compost in an apartment?

Composting reduces landfill waste, nurtures your plants, and supports a cleaner environment. Plus, it’s an easy and practical way to handle food scraps when you don’t have a yard. When you compost, you’re:

  • Reducing waste and lowering methane emissions in landfills. Btw, did you know that 36 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere? Yuiks.
  • Creating nutrient-rich compost that can be used in your plants or garden.
  • Saving money on store-bought fertilizers.
  • Contributing to a sustainable, low-waste lifestyle.

What you can & can’t compost indoors

✅ Compostable items:❌ Not compostable:
Fruit & veggie scrapsMeat, dairy, and bones (with some exceptions)
Coffee grounds, filters, and (plastic-free) tea bagsOily and greasy foods
Grains, pasta, bread, eggshellsPet waste
Paper, cardboard, and shredded newspaperMoldy stuff
Hair, fur, and natural fibersDiseased plants
Houseplants & dried flowersCharcoal
Sawdust, hay, wood chipsCoal ash
Leaves and yard trimmingsChemically treated yard waste

5 apartment-friendly composting methods:

1. Vermicomposting (worm bin)

Vermicomposting uses worms to break down food scraps into rich compost. It’s one of the most popular indoor composting methods, especially for apartments, because it’s low-maintenance and doesn’t require a lot of space. 

What you’ll need to start:

  • Worm bin or container
  • Red Wiggler worms
  • Shredded newspaper, cardboard, or coconut coir for bedding
  • Food scraps (fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, etc.)
  • Water to keep the bedding moist

Step-by-step guide for vermicomposting:

  • Step 1: Choose a worm bin. You can buy a ready-made worm bin; great options include: the 2-tray vermicomposter bin, Worm Factory 360, or 5-tray worm composter, or DIY it – use plastic containers with holes for ventilation and drainage.
  • Step 2: Get red Wigglers. These are the best composting worms. You’ll need about 1–2 pounds. If you start with 1 lb (453g), feed them about 0.5 lb (226g) of food scraps per day to avoid overfeeding.
  • Step 3: Prepare bedding: Tear newspaper or cardboard into strips and soak them in water. The bedding should be moist like a wrung-out sponge—never soggy. You can also use materials like egg cartons, straws, sawdust, or fallen leaves.
  • Step 4: Add food scraps. Start with small amounts of chopped fruit and vegetable scraps. Bury the scraps under bedding to reduce smells and fruit flies.
  • Step 5: Maintain the bin. Keep it in a cool, shaded indoor spot. Check moisture and add more bedding if things get too wet. Stir gently once a week if needed.
  • Step 6: Harvest the compost. Every few months, dark, crumbly compost will be ready. You can either: Move worms to one side of the bin and harvest from the other, or relocate worms to a fresh bin and collect the finished compost.

Tips:

  • Keep your worm bin in a cool, dark place like under the kitchen sink or in a basement.
  • Always maintain a balance of green (food scraps) and brown (paper, leaves) materials. Too much green material can cause odors and attract pests.
  • Avoid feeding worms too much at once. Feed them small amounts to allow them to break down the material.
  • Ensure your bedding is moist but not soaking wet. Add water as needed to keep it damp, not soggy.
  • Keep the bin between 55°F and 77°F. Too hot or too cold will harm the worms.

Pros:

  • Minimal odor
  • Doesn’t require a lot of space
  • Great for kitchen scraps

Cons:

  • Needs a dark, cool place to thrive
  • Requires regular attention and care for the worms
Apartment Composting: All you need to know & 7 ways - Almost Zero Waste

2. Bokashi composting (fermentation system)

Bokashi composting is a unique method that ferments food scraps, including meat, dairy, and cooked foods, which are usually not suitable for regular composting. After 2-3 weeks of fermentation, the pre-compost can be buried in soil or added to an outdoor compost system to finish breaking down.

What you’ll need to start:

You can buy a Bokashi starter kit (container + bran) or a more full Bokashi kit here.

Step-by-step guide for Bokashi composting:

  1. Get a Bokashi bin: This is an airtight bin that you can find online or in stores. It should come with a spigot to drain off any liquid (called leachate).
  2. Add Bokashi bran: Bokashi bran is a special mix of microorganisms that aid in the fermentation process. You’ll sprinkle a layer of the bran at the bottom of the bin.
  3. Add food scraps: Layer food scraps in the bin, adding a little more bran on top of each layer. Press down to remove air pockets.
  4. Seal the bin: Once it’s full, seal the bin and let it ferment for about two weeks. The fermentation process should occur in a dark, warm place.
  5. After fermentation: Once the compost is fermented, you can either bury it in your garden (it’ll break down quickly in soil) or add it to a traditional composting pile.

Tips:

  • After filling your Bokashi bin, let it ferment for about 1-2 weeks. Then, let the compost rest for another 2 weeks to fully complete the process.
  • Be sure to layer your kitchen scraps with Bokashi bran to prevent odors and mold. Add the bran after each food scrap layer.
  • Ensure your bin isn’t too wet. Drain off any excess liquid daily, as it may become too soupy and smell bad.
  • Keep your Bokashi bin in a dark, cool place, like a cupboard or pantry, away from direct sunlight.

Pros:

  • Accepts a wide variety of food scraps (including meat and dairy)
  • Fast and efficient
  • Minimal odor during fermentation

Cons:

  • Requires a second composting step (burying or adding to a traditional compost pile)
  • Needs to be stored in a warm, dark place
Apartment Composting: All you need to know & 7 ways - Almost Zero Waste

3. Compost tumblers (outdoor method)

If you have access to a small balcony, patio, or even a sunny corner outdoors, a compost tumbler is an excellent, low-maintenance option for composting your kitchen scraps. Unlike traditional compost piles or bins, tumblers are fully enclosed and mounted on a frame, which makes them easy to rotate – helping to aerate the contents and accelerate the composting process.

Miracle-Gro Small Composter is ideal for patios or balconies and has a capacity of 27.7 gallons (105 liters). Its compact footprint doesn’t take up much space, and the single-chamber design is simple to use and great for beginners. 

What you’ll need to start:

  • Compost tumbler
  • Food scraps (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, etc.)
  • Access to a small outdoor space (e.g., balcony or patio)

Step-by-step guide for compost tumblers:

  1. Set up a compost tumbler: Choose a tumbler that fits your space and budget.
  2. Add food scraps: Add fruit peels, veggie scraps, coffee grounds, and other compostable materials.
  3. Turn the tumbler: Rotate the tumbler every few days to aerate the compost and speed up decomposition.
  4. Harvest the compost: In about 2-3 weeks, your compost should be ready to use in your garden or for houseplants.

Tips:

  • Rotate your tumbler every few days to mix the compost. This helps aerate the pile and speeds up decomposition.
  • Use a mix of “greens” (kitchen scraps) and “browns” (dry leaves, cardboard) to maintain the right carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
  • Keep your compost moist but not wet. Add water if it looks dry or add dry materials if it’s too wet.
  • Place your tumbler on a level surface to ensure proper drainage and airflow.

Pros:

  • Fast decomposition
  • Minimal odor and pest issues

Cons:

  • Needs regular turning
  • Requires outdoor space


Apartment Composting: All you need to know & 7 ways - Almost Zero Waste

4. Electric composters

If you’re looking for a fast, low-effort method, electric composters like the Lomi or Vitamix FoodCycler might be your best bet. These units break down food scraps into nutrient-rich material in just a few hours. Here’s a quick list of some of the most common electric composters for home use:

What you’ll need to start:

  • Electric composter (e.g., Lomi or Vitamix FoodCycler)
  • Food scraps (fruit peels, coffee grounds, etc.)
  • Power source

Step-by-step guide for electric composting:

  1. Purchase an electric composter: Choose a countertop model that suits your budget and needs.
  2. Add scraps: Place food scraps like fruit peels, coffee grounds, and veggie scraps into the composter.
  3. Set the machine: Turn on the machine and let it process the scraps. Most units have different modes for composting, depending on how fine or dry you want the final product.
  4. Harvest the compost: After the cycle finishes, the machine will produce a dried, ground-up version of the scraps. You can use this for your indoor plants or add it to your garden.

Tips:

  • Some electric composters are sensitive to large bones, dairy, and oils. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • Clean the machine every couple of weeks to prevent odor and build-up.
  • Electric composters offer fast results, typically in under 24 hours. Ensure you’re using the machine regularly to prevent food scraps from piling up.
  • After the cycle, consider leaving the compost to dry out a bit before use. This helps it break down further and improves its texture.

Pros:

  • Fast composting
  • No need to deal with pests or odors
  • Minimal effort required

Cons:

  • Doesn’t technically “compost,” but produces a similar end product
  • High upfront cost
Apartment Composting: All you need to know & 7 ways - Almost Zero Waste

5. Pre-composting & collection methods

If you don’t want to actively compost indoors but still want to minimize waste, you can use pre-composting methods to collect food scraps until you’re ready to dispose of them.

What you’ll need to start:

Countertop collection:

  • Kitchen compost bin with a charcoal filter
  • Food scraps (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, etc.)
  • A local composting facility or curbside pickup service
  • Countertop compost bin pick: Epica bin or Lalastar bin

Blender composting:

  • Powerful blender
  • Food scraps
  • Water
  • A compost pile or garden bed
  • Blender compost bin pick: Oxo bin

Freezer composting:

Step-by-step guide for pre-composting & collection:

  • Countertop collection:
    1. Get a kitchen compost bin: A countertop compost bin with a charcoal filter will help contain odors.
    2. Collect scraps: Place fruit peels, vegetable trimmings, and other compostable scraps in the bin.
    3. Empty regularly: You can drop the collected scraps off at a local composting site or arrange for curbside compost pickup.
  • Blender composting:
    1. Blend scraps: Blend food scraps with a little water to create a slurry.
    2. Compost outdoors: Add the slurry directly to your outdoor compost pile or garden bed to speed up decomposition.
  • Freezer composting:
    1. Store scraps in the freezer: Place food scraps in a freezer-safe container and freeze them until you can take them to a composting facility.
    2. Drop off at a facility: Find a local composting facility that accepts frozen food scraps or use a curbside pickup service.

Pros:

  • Minimal space required
  • Easy and odor-free

Cons:

  • Only works for people who can access composting services
  • Requires local compost facilities or pickup service

TL;DR – Comparison table

Here’s a quick table comparing the 5 apartment-friendly composting methods – covering space needed, composting time, and key pros and cons – so you can find the one that fits your lifestyle best:

MethodSpace neededTime to compostProsCons
VermicompostSmall (indoor)2–3 monthsLow odor, compact, low maintenanceNeeds worm care, no meat/dairy
BokashiVery small2–4 weeks (ferment) + buryHandles all food, no smell indoorsRequires post-fermentation burying
Compost tumblerSmall balcony/patio1–3 monthsEasy to turn, faster than static binsNeeds outdoor space, can be bulky
Electric composterCountertopHours to daysFast, odor-free, minimal effortExpensive, uses electricity
Pre-compostingVery smallN/A (for drop-off)Easy, no composting requiredNeeds access to drop-off or service

Download my FREE eBook! 🌿

Wanna dive deeper? I created a free e-book on composting, that includes a detailed breakdown of each method, plus tips, troubleshooting, and expert advice on apartment composting. It’s available for free at the Almost Zero Waste Hub member’s area.

Sign up for my newsletter to unlock the Almost Zero Waste Hub — a free members-only library packed with exclusive guides, e-books & more. You’ll also get Good News Monday, a weekly dose of updates & uplifting stories to keep you inspired and motivated on your sustainable journey.

apartment composting

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Final thoughts

Composting indoors is a sustainable and easy way to manage food scraps while living in an apartment. 

Whether you choose a worm bin, Bokashi system, or electric composter, there’s a method that fits your space and lifestyle. 

Don’t forget – composting doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small, and experiment to find what works best for you!

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2 Comments

  1. I live on a farm and have always composted. My compost “bin” consists of a chain link fence. I made a 5×5 foot square with a gate. The fence is 6 feet tall.
    I lined it with about 4 inches of autumn leaves. Then, a single layer of compostables. Another layer of leaves. Repeat. If the weather was quite dry, I spray it with the garden hose…lightly.
    On and on I go for a year. THEN! When it’s time to plant my garden, I carefully open the gate and shovel soil from the bottom. By the time a year has passed, all the bottom half is decomposed and turning to dirt. So easy. And if it ever gets stinky or anything, you take a shovel and turn the top 12 inches over and let it get some sun so it dries a bit. If you have a serious emergency and need some help, you can sprinkle a box of rid ex over the top and water it, before covering with a leaf layer. Happy composting!

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