Trash Less. Compost More!
The high-impact swap your trash can will thank you for
Spring is in full swing which might get you in the mood for a little gardening or… composting?
If you only make one sustainable swap this year, let it be composting.
It’s one of the easiest and most impactful habits you can adopt. Composting can cut your household waste in half. And when you consider that food waste in landfills releases methane (a greenhouse gas that’s ~80 times more potent than CO2), it becomes clear why keeping those scraps out of the trash is so important in the fight against climate change.
But where do you start?
First, it’s key to understand the difference between compostable and biodegradable. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Biodegradable items break down eventually… sometimes into microplastics. While compostable items are designed to return to the soil safely.
Once you’re set on composting, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with greens and browns. Greens are your nitrogen-rich food scraps, and browns are your carbon-rich materials like dried leaves or paper. A balanced compost pile has a good 50/50 mix of both.
If you live in a small space, don't worry - composting is still doable. You can use a countertop compost bin lined with compostable bags for easy cleanup, and drop your scraps off at a local community garden, farmers market, or through platforms like ShareWaste.
If you’re looking for a tech-savvy solution, the Lomi is a countertop composter that turns food waste into nutrient-rich dirt in under 24 hours. It's not essential, but it’s a great option if you want something simple, speedy, and especially good to keep things moving during that Maine winter.
(I’m also really excited to be testing out a Mill soon!)
And if you’ve got the yard space, you can always build your own compost bin with just a few supplies. It’s cheaper than store-bought and surprisingly fun to assemble.
Want to dive deeper? Here are some popular composting posts to check out:
📌 Composting 101 (125+ Household Items You Can Compost)
Think composting is just for banana peels and coffee grounds? Think again. This mega-list covers over 125 common household items you can compost and some of them might surprise you (yes, even hair and nail clippings make the cut).
📌 How to Compost in an Apartment
No backyard? No problem. Whether you’re in a studio or a high-rise, this guide breaks down all your options from countertop bins to drop-off services so you can keep food waste out of landfills without sacrificing space or convenience.
📌 Your Guide to Backyard Composting
If you have access to outdoor space, you’ve got composting options. This guide walks you through everything from enclosed bins to DIY tumblers and even worm composting. It’s all about finding what works for your lifestyle and your soil.
highlighted video of the week:
Thank you so much for being a reader!
Sincerely,
Kathryn