Once you decide you want to start composting, it can be hard to know what type of composting is right for you. When choosing your compost unit there are a few things to take into consideration: where you live and what you eat. We’ve broken it down to help make the decision easier for you (because we’re supportive of your compost journey too!) 
 

If you live in an apartment

 
Coming up with a composting solution in an apartment can be tricky, particularly if you don’t have a lot of space! Don’t worry, there are plenty of options out there, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
 

Worm farm

 
Pros
  • Lots of different sized units mean you can find one that fits your apartment. Worm farms are clean and don’t smell, so you could even keep it inside!
  • Worm wee – not as gross as it sounds, it's the by-product from a worm farm and a fantastic fertiliser for the garden.
 
Cons
  • Worms are fussy eaters so you can’t give them citrus, chilli, garlic, dairy, meat or onion.
  • Worms are living creatures and you need to take care of them. During the warmer months worms need to be in a shady spot so they don't overheat. In winter they need to be in a location where they get enough sun, so they don’t fall asleep on the job!
  • Worms can only live for 4 weeks without fresh food. So, if you’re packing your bags to go on holidays make sure you ask a friend to stop by with their scraps.
 

Bokashi bin

 
Pros
  • You can put EVERYTHING into a Bokashi bin, meat, dairy, garlic, you name it!
  • They are usually quite small and can fit under your kitchen sink
  • When you use a compost accelerator it means they don’t emit any odours
  • Most bokashi bins have a tap on them to release built up liquid. This can be diluted and used on the garden or undiluted can be used as a natural drain cleaner.
 
 Cons
  • Once your bokashi bin is full, you need to wait for it to ferment before emptying it. Until then, you'll need to store food scraps elsewhere.
  • Once your scraps have fermented and are ready for emptying, you need somewhere to put them*.
 
*If you don’t have a friend with a compost bin, find someone nearby with a compost bin or chickens to feed on: https://sharewaste.com/
 

If you live in a house (or have more space)

 
In a house you have more compost options to choose, for the obvious reason, more space. You can use the smaller options if they suit you better, or if you have more food waste you may want to consider a larger unit. Or if you want to get fancy, you might opt for more than one!
 

Compost bin (open bottom)

 
Pros
  • In compost bins with open bottoms, compost is created quicker. This is because worms and microbes can enter the bin from the earth to break down the scraps into compost.
  • They are generally quite large so you put a lot of food scraps and garden waste in before it gets full
  • You can put most food scraps in here  
Cons
  • You shouldn’t put meat or dairy into the bin as it attracts rodents (who can enter through the open bottom)
  • You will need to stir the top of the pile

 

Compost tumbler

 
Pros
  • Because of the mix function, compost is created a lot quicker (when you turn it regularly).
  • Being off the ground means that rodents can’t get in
  • You can compost everything from kitchen scraps to garden waste (just no meat and dairy if you don’t want it to smell!)
 Cons
  • Unless you get a compost tumbler with a handle it can be hard to turn
  • They take up more space than some of the alternatives
 
Once your new composting bin is on the way be sure to do your research on what can and can’t go in. Check out our article on biodegradable vs. degradable vs. compostable to set you up for composting success!