How to Compost in an Apartment
No backyard, no problem. Apartment dwellers can compost with a worm bin, a bokashi bucket or a simple balcony tumbler.
The right method depends on your space and how much food waste you produce, but all three work in a small footprint.
Your three options
- Worm bin: quiet, odorless, great for small spaces
- Bokashi bucket: ferments scraps fast, fits under a sink
- Balcony tumbler: larger capacity, needs a little sun
Tips for small-space success
- Freeze scraps to prevent smells between drop-offs
- Keep the bin out of direct sun
- Add plenty of shredded paper as browns
- Find a community garden that accepts finished compost
A small worm bin under the sink can handle all the vegetable scraps from a one or two-person household.
Odor-proofing tips
The biggest apartment worry is smell, and a few simple habits keep a small bin completely odor-free.
- Freeze scraps until collection day
- Add a layer of shredded paper on top
- Empty the bin at least weekly
A tiny bin and a little routine is all it takes to keep a city apartment composting happily all year round.