Composting 101: NYC Apartment Edition
Thinking about composting but worried your apartment is too small? Don't worry, you're not alone! And guess what? Composting is totally doable, even in a small space. Let’s stop overflowing those trash cans and feeding the rats at night and start turning our food scraps for a greener New York!
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why compost in tiny spaces?
Living in the city doesn't mean you can't be eco-friendly.
With landfills overflowing with waste, NYC trash cans are no exception. Composting helps reduce waste going to landfills, which is super good for the environment!
Here’s a bonus for composting in New York — The finished compost collected from our bins gets a second life! It nourishes parks and gardens throughout the city, and even gets converted into renewable energy! So, composting is a great way for all of us to work together for a greener NYC. 💚
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apartment composting options
Small space? No problem! Here are a couple of ways to compost in your NYC apartment:
COUNTERTOP COMPOSTING BINS
These compact bins are perfect for collecting food scraps in your kitchen. Look for one with a lid and a liner designed to trap odors and moisture.BROWN PAPER BAG
A simple and cost-effective option. Use double brown bags and place a thick compostable item (such as a cup holder that you got from food delivery) at the bottom to absorb moisture. Drop off the bag frequently to the nearest compost bin to prevent odors and rips.HIGH-TECH COMPOST BINS
Lastly, you can consider smart compost bins like Lomi or Mill. These appliances use special technology to break down food scraps quickly and easily which can be used to fertilize your house plants!
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the browns & the greens
Composting is all about mixing two things: "browns" and "greens."
Browns are dry materials like coffee grounds, eggshells, brown paper, and shredded paper. Greens are wet materials like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and tea bags. A good balance of browns and greens helps your compost decompose properly and avoids bad smells.
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where to compost in NYC?
If you’re living in an apartment in New York City and want to help reduce food waste ending up in landfills, here are some options on where you can compost!
Download the NYC Compost app to find and unlock these bins.
Pocket gardens
Look for metal compost bins outside these community gardens.
Community gardens
Some community gardens accept compostable materials. Ask before you bring yours! These community gardens allow you to drop off your food scraps at a specific location. It's a great way to meet eco-conscious neighbors and save space in your apartment. You can use a biodegradable bag or brown paper bag to store your food scraps.
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what you can compost in NYC
FOOD SCRAPS
Food scraps from cooking, leftovers, and expired food that you find in your fridgeGREEN WASTE
If you’re trimming your plants, toss them into the compost bin!BROWN WASTE
When you’re changing your plants’ soil, you can toss those in the compost bin as well!PAPER PRODUCTS
Food-soiled paper, cardboard, brown paper products, any paper products that have touched food like for example, napkins, greasy paper plates that have no plastic lining over them, pizza boxes (you can break them down break them up into pieces and put them in the compost bin, cardboard tubes which means toilet paper, or paper towel brown product tubes!MEAT AND BONES
Surprisingly, you can actually compost meat and bones in New York City!COMPOSTABLE BAGS
USED MATCHES
Used matches can be composted! The wood in matches is compostable, and the sulfur and magnesium in matchsticks can help plants grow by aiding chlorophyll production. However, unused matches are not compostable and can be dangerous if simply thrown in the trash.
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what you can’t compost in NYC
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Avoid composting dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. These items can create unpleasant odors and attract pests.WASTE
Do not compost pet or human waste. These materials can contain harmful bacteria and pathogens. Once the compost with the waste is applied to gardens or soil, these harmful bacteria can spread to plants and potentially contaminate the soil.NON-BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS
Glass, plastic, and metal items are not biodegradable and should be rinsed and recycledHARMFUL SUBSTANCES
Paper towels that have touched cleaning products, or anything that contains chemicals or toxins should not be tossed in the compost binTRASH
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FAQ
Q: Can you put meat in compost bins in NYC?
A: Yes, most curbside composting programs in NYC accept meat and bones. This helps reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich compost.
Q: Can I compost paper towels in NYC?
A: Yes, you can compost food-soiled paper towels. However, avoid composting paper towels used to clean up excess oil or grease, as these can be difficult to break down.
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pin this compost guide! ♻️
Apartment composting is a small step with a big impact. You'll be reducing waste, creating amazing fertilizer for your plants, and contributing to a more sustainable start composting together!
Share your tips and tricks on composting in the comments below.
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Last Updated: 09.11.2024
Reduce waste, grow greener, and be a part of a sustainable NYC. Ready to start composting in your tiny space? Grab your shovel, dig in, and read our NYC Apartment Composting 101 guide! 🪴