How to Make Compost from Leftover Food

Making compost from leftover food is a simple and effective way to reduce waste, enrich your soil, and create a healthier and more sustainable environment. Not only does composting reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills, but it also helps to conserve water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save money on fertilizers. We specialize in ensuring our community keeps recycling as a residential trash service we also support a variety of local organizations focused on bettering our environment, and composting is one way to reduce waste.

How to Make Compost

We’ve broken it down into several easy steps for a simple learning process on a general way to make your very own compost. Here’s how you can get started making compost from your leftover food:

Choose a container or area for your compost.

You can use a simple plastic bin with holes in it, or you can build a more elaborate compost bin using wood or other materials. If you have a backyard, you can also create a compost pile directly on the ground.

Collect your compostable materials.

Any organic material can be used in compost, including leftover food, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste. Avoid adding meat, dairy products, or oils to your compost, as these can attract pests and create unpleasant odors.

Add a layer of “brown” materials to your compost bin or pile.

“Brown” materials, such as fallen leaves, straw, and wood chips, provide carbon and help to balance out the “green” materials, which are high in nitrogen.

Add a layer of “green” materials to your compost.

“Green” materials include food scraps, grass clippings, and other moist, nitrogen-rich materials.

Mix and moisten your compost.

Use a pitchfork or shovel to mix the brown and green materials together, and add water to moisten the compost as needed. The moisture helps to activate the composting process and encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

Monitor and turn your compost.

To ensure that your compost is breaking down properly, you’ll need to monitor it regularly and turn it over every few weeks. This helps to aerate the compost and allows it to heat up, which speeds up the decomposition process.

Harvest your compost.

Depending on the size of your compost bin or pile, and the materials you’ve added, it may take anywhere from several weeks to several months for your compost to be ready. When it’s finished, it should be a rich, dark brown color and have a crumbly texture. You can use your compost as a natural fertilizer for your plants, or mix it into the soil to improve its structure and fertility.

Composting is an easy and rewarding way to reduce waste and improve the health of your soil. With a little bit of effort, you can turn your leftover food into a valuable resource that benefits both the environment and your garden. So, give it a try and see the difference it can make!

Find Your Local Waste Service

Find Your Local Waste Service to signup for residential trash and recycling services. Serving the residential areas of Andover, Ramsey, East Bethel, Isanti, and St. Francis, LePage & Sons is your local provider. We offer many other services from storage container rentals to roll off dumpsters, and more!