Overview
For apartment dwellers who want to compost their organic waste, there are several options available. Vermicomposting, bokashi bins, high tech composters, and traditional composters are all viable options for composting in an apartment.
Vermicomposting involves using red wriggler worms to break down organic waste, producing nutrient-rich castings and worm tea as a byproduct. Worm bins, such as the Sacred Resources Composter, Living Composter, or Urbalive, are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. However, it is important to note that worm farms require some maintenance and care, including keeping them moist and feeding them at least once a week. Worms do not like heat and should not be fed onions, citrus, or certain other foods.
Bokashi bins are another option for apartment composting. This Japanese method of composting uses micro-organisms to ferment a wide array of food scraps, including meat and other acidic foods that cannot be fed to worms. Bokashi bins are widely available worldwide and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. However, the product produced by bokashi bins must be broken down further by either burying in soil or feeding to worms.
High tech composters, such as the Vitamix Food Cycler, are electricity-run composters that use heat and vibration to break down organic waste in a matter of hours. These composters are designed to be fast and odorless and can break down a larger variety of scraps, including meat scraps that cannot be fed to worms. However, they can be expensive and are electric devices, which may not be in line with a zero-waste lifestyle.
Traditional composters, such as the Envirocycle Mini, rely on either decomposition or fermentation to break down food. These composters are better suited to balcony composting due to natural odors emitted in the process. However, they require adequate drainage and ventilation to ensure proper decomposition.
In summary, composting in an apartment is possible with the right tools and techniques. Apartment dwellers can choose from a variety of composting options, including vermicomposting, bokashi bins, high tech composters, and traditional composters, to reduce their carbon footprint and produce nutrient-rich fertilizer for their plants.
