In 2021, most people in the European Union (53%) lived in a house, while 46% lived in a flat. In specific countries, the share of people living in houses was much higher. Ireland had the highest rate at 90%, followed by the Netherlands (80%), and both Belgium and Croatia (77%). The type of home people lived in also depended on the location: people in cities mostly lived in flats (71%), while those in rural areas overwhelmingly lived in houses (83%). In towns and suburbs, there was a mix, with more people living in houses (58%). With these numbers, the question arises how to compost in flat? So, let’s get started…
What is composting and compost?
Composting is the oldest way to recycle waste. Through this natural process, biodegradable waste breaks down, and the final product is compost. Compost is a mix of organic waste from homes and farms. It’s a very good fertilizer. Composting helps keep the natural cycle of materials in nature going. The compost itself makes garden soil more airy and gives food to plants.
Benefits of composting
Using compost has many benefits. It enriches the soil with the nutrients plants need, which helps them grow and improves soil fertility in the long run. Compost also activates useful microorganisms and soil animals, increases the amount of humus, and reduces the need to buy expensive chemical fertilizers and potting soil.
Where to compost in flat?
If you want to compost in a flat, the best place is the balcony. A composter doesn’t need much space (just the size of a bin). If you don’t have a balcony, you can use the kitchen or garage. You can make your own composter (which is encouraged) or buy one at a special store.
How to make compost?
To create a composter in your apartment, you need a 40–60 liter container with a lid. First, drill holes in the container to allow for air circulation.
Then, follow these steps:
- Place a layer of dry twigs (about 5–10 cm) at the bottom for drainage and air pockets.
- Add a thin layer of cardboard on top of the twigs, followed by a layer of dry leaves (5–10 cm).
- Add a thin layer of soil. This acts as a natural activator because it contains microorganisms that will start the decomposition process.
- Finally, add your wet organic waste from the kitchen and mix it with dry materials (like straw or shredded cardboard) in a 2:1 ratio (wet:dry).
To ensure you get high-quality compost, it’s important to maintain it properly. You should mix the contents every 2 to 4 days to aerate it and prevent it from becoming too wet. The best compost comes from mixing a variety of different materials, all shredded to about the size of a thumb.
Some of the materials you should not be composted, including non-biodegradable materials, animal products, and hazardous waste.
When you can compost?
You can recycle biowaste all year. In the winter, you should pay attention to the ratio of dry to wet waste. It’s a good idea to save and store dry materials like shredded wood, twigs, and leaves during autumn so you can mix them with wet kitchen waste in the winter.
Does the compost smell?
If your compost is too wet, it will rot and create a bad smell. If it’s too dry, the decomposition process stops because microorganisms can’t work without water. Therefore, it’s essential to follow the correct ratio of wet to dry waste (2:1) and ensure good aeration to avoid unpleasant odors. After about thirty days, the finished compost should have a pleasant forest soil smell.
Good example of composting in flat
Gittemary Johansen is a young woman who has a YouTube channel where she shares her life. In several videos, she talks about zero waste and ecological topics. So, we’re sharing her video with you about today’s main topic to show that it’s possible to compost in a flat, and you can also learn some of her tips and tricks on how to compost in an apartment.
Source:
Komunalac, https://komunalac-kc.hr/mirko-reciklirko/
Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/digpub/housing/bloc-1a.html
Kreni zdravo, https://krenizdravo.dnevnik.hr/zivotni-stil/da-moguce-je-kompostiranje-u-stanu
Agroklub, https://www.agroklub.com/eko-proizvodnja/kompostiranje-u-stambenim-prostorima/29758/
Gittemary Johansen, https://youtu.be/QhUWOiEc9I8?si=gEij78EXmYBiLpzX
Author: Petra Vuleta
