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Simple Steps for Starting at Home
Provided by DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling
www.scdhec.gov/dontwastefoodsc
Composting is nature’s way Table of
to recycle. Contents
What type of
Composting happens. It’s simply the slow, natural decomposition of composting works
organics. best for me? ..............3
Backyard
Composting at home is the controlled and faster decomposition of Composting ...............4
organics such as yard trimmings and food waste that you and your Do-It-Yourself Bins ....4
family generate. Microorganisms break down this material into compost Bins to Buy .................5
– a nutrient-rich product that can be used as a soil amendment in yards,
gardens, flower beds and potted plants. Open Composting .....5
Backyard Composting
Step-By-Step...............6
Why compost at home? What goes in your
backyard compost? ...7
• It’s good for you and the environment. Temperature
Check ..........................8
The product you make is valuable. It can improve the soil, prevent Common Problems
erosion, reduce the use of fertilizer and water – saving natural & Simple Solutions ....8
resources and money – as well as decrease the amount of waste you When is my compost
generate. ready to use? ..............9
Other Methods
• It involves little effort, equipment, expense and of Composting
expertise. & Diversion .............10
You can reduce food
This guide addresses several home composting options and will help waste at home. .......12
you decide which one is best for you. Backyard composting is the Resources & Contact
most common choice and the focus of this publication. Information ............12
Let’s get started.
Consider the following questions when planning
to compost at home. Use the flow chart on the
following page to help you decide which method to
use.
1. How much space do you have
at home?
2. What material will you be
composting?
3. How much time and effort can
you give to this project?
2 Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home
What type of composting works best for me?
START HERE Can you compost at home?
Commercial
Where? Yes No Hauler
Page 11
Outside Inside How do you feel Ick!
about worms? Bokashi
Page 11
What will Food waste Worm Bin
you compost? only
Page 10
Food waste Got leaves?
& yard mix (Or paper or straw?) Green Cone
Page 10
Yes No
Just leaves Want super
simple? Piles & Heaps
Yes, K.I.S.S.!
Page 5
Pile or Bin Not that simple
Page 5 Sheet Mulching/
Compost IN Lasagna Gardening
Sure No Page 5
Tumbler or the garden?
Can you dig it?
Rolling Bin
Page 5 No, let’s have a Yes Pits & Trenches
“compost area” Page 5
Circular or + fun? What’s your style?
Enclosed Bin
Worried Fan Favorite!
Page 5
about pests? Shabby chic Wooden
Yes Very or Pallet Bin*
Page 4
Spend $$? Not really YES! Substantial
No DIY? Elegant
Minimalist
Free is good (AKA easy + inexpensive)
Cinder Block
Brick Bin* Bin*
ADAPTED Wire Bin* Page 4 Page 4
FROM *Triple these to make
Page 4
gardensthatmatter.com a 3-section system.
Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home 3
Backyard Composting Options
Do-It-Yourself Bins
TYPE PROS & CONS SUGGESTIONS & PRECAUTIONS
Bricks Pros: Long-lasting, neat appearance, Layer bricks to leave spaces for
inexpensive if reusing material, can aeration.
add material during process.
Cons: Time consuming to build,
expensive if using new material, Brick Bin
cannot be moved.
Cinder Pros: Long-lasting, holes provide Mortar may not be required if
Blocks aeration without having to turn stacked evenly. You should need 20
material as often, inexpensive for or less standard cinder blocks for a
reused or new material, can add bin 3 feet square.
material during process.
Cons: Cannot be moved.
Wire Pros: Simple to build, inexpensive Cut an opening in the wire towards
for reused or new material, can add the bottom to remove finished
material during the process. compost.
Cons: Temperature may not stay Cinder Block Bin
as hot.
Wooden Pros: Inexpensive if reusing Untreated wood is preferred. Check
or Pallets material. with local stores to see if they will
Cons: Will have to be replaced donate used pallets. Using chicken
eventually due to decomposition of wire in combination with the wood
the wood. will help hold materials in the bin.
Three Pros: Reduces decomposition time Fill the first bin with material. When
Sections from months to weeks, provides it’s full, turn the contents into the
storage for finished compost, can second bin. Begin filling the first bin
produce higher volume of material again while continuing the process Wire Bin
at varied intervals, can add material of moving the material from the
during process. second to the third bin. When the
Cons: Time consuming to build, material in the third bin is ready,
more manual labor to turn material. remove the finished compost and
begin the process again.
DIY Wire Bin SHOPPING LIST
• 4-ft. metal poles (4) • zip ties (12+)
• chicken wire (12+ ft.) • metal clips (3+)
Wooden Bin
STEP 1: STEP 2: STEP 3:
Use a hammer to drive Use about 12 feet of chicken Leave one end detached so
metal posts or rebar into wire to wrap around the the bin can be opened to turn
the ground. Space the posts outside of the posts. Attach the pile. Use metal clips to
about 3 feet apart. wire to posts with zip ties. close the open end. Three-Section Bin
4 Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home
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