In fact, as someone living in an apartment or condominium, your houseplants and patio plant containers will appreciate compost. You will also be able to reduce kitchen scraps and save yourself a trip to the building dumpster.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, kitchen scraps are essential items in our trash. When used as compost ingredients, they don’t end up in landfills.

When these scraps end up in landfills, the organic matter generates methane gas. This does not happen when you add them to a composter.

As you know, methane gas is harmful to the environment and increases the rate of climate change worldwide. Many cities have already encouraged people to use their collection and composting programs to eliminate food scraps in landfills.

If you want to do your part in slowing down climate change, then apartment composting is the way to go.

I bet you didn’t know that there are many different ways that you can compost in an apartment.

Worm Composter – Solution Number One

Also referred to as vermicomposters, worm composters are very versatile and are small and portable. They can also compost kitchen scraps and other household waste that will produce rich “worm tea” that you can use to water your houseplants and outside planter boxes.

These worm composters are easy to use since the material doesn’t need to be turned. Indeed, organic waste won’t decompose well without being turned, but the worms are turning. You have to feed them regularly.

Several Worm Composters on the market will work just fine for apartment dwellers.

Is a Worm Composter the Right Choice for You?

A worm composter is a good choice if you are interested in composting in an apartment and only have a small balcony or deck. The temperature must be between forty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit.

Worms will not survive in freezing temperatures. So if that is the temperature you experience in the winter, they will need to be brought indoors.

Also, they won’t survive in direct sunlight or even rain.

The worms will need to be fed regularly. You can use items such as shredded newspapers along with kitchen scraps. The paper helps to balance the nitrogen levels that organic material gives off.

For people in an apartment, worm composting offers a more small-scale composting.

Composter Tumblers – Solution Number Two

If you have a larger-sized balcony or are lucky enough to have a ground-floor unit with a large patio area, then a composter tumbler is a good solution.

Also, if your building has a rooftop garden or communal area, this would be another great option to use a compost tumbler. Of course, you will need permission from the condo board or building management.

Although compost tumblers tend to be larger than worm composters, several smaller sizes are perfect so that you can compost in an apartment.

These composters are sealed to generate heat to decompose materials. They also have a handle for turning the composter to mix the materials.

The other benefit of these composters is that the seal means there isn’t any smell, making them an attractive addition to your gardening if you have a small area for the composter.

Miracle-Gro Small Composter

The Miracle-Gro Small Composter is the perfect-sized composter for anyone with a small space.

Apartment and condominium dwellers will find this a good solution.

It will fit very well on your balcony, porch, patio, or rooftop garden. You will be able to compost year-round with it.

This excellent weather-resistant composter has a sturdy side-locking mechanism that makes it easy to load and unload material.

It is made of durable UV-protected plastic, meaning it won’t be leaching harmful toxins into the compost.

This particular model comes with a pair of gardening gloves that are water-resistant with a no-slip grip.

Is a Compost Tumbler the Right Choice for You?

A compost tumbler generally takes up a little more room than worm composters. You will also have to take into consideration the room for turning the composter.

With a compost tumbler, there may come a time when you can’t add more material. The reason is that you need to wait between two and three weeks for the composter to do its job and make compost.

You can always buy a tumbler with dual compartments if that is a problem. This way, you can keep adding scraps to one side while the other is making compost.

Kitchen Composters

There are several different types of kitchen composters. They come in various materials, from stainless steel to plastic.

One of the more popular types of kitchen composters is made of stainless steel. The reason this is popular is that it won’t absorb any of the food smells. They are also easy to clean.

Some stainless steel kitchen composters are powder-coated and come in various colors and patterns.

Third Rock Compost Bin for the Kitchen

With the Third Rock Kitchen Compost Bin, recycling is good for the environment and your house. The composter has built-in odor control, and the lid has a changeable charcoal filter to keep everything smelling good.

Due to its high powder coating, the composter will never rust, scratch, or chip. It is also made using sturdy carbon steel, while the handles and lid ring are made of stainless steel.

Composting Makes a Difference in the Environment

Composting is an excellent way to care for the environment or at least do your part. It doesn’t matter which composter you decide is suitable for your needs; it is essential to ensure you know what to put in them.

A composter needs a balance of high-nitrogen organic material and carbon to help speed up the decomposition and prevent any annoying odors.

To be able to compost in an apartment doesn’t have to be a lot of work, and it is something that can be done in the smallest of places.

As you can see, living in a small space doesn’t mean you can’t compost. It is a great way to care for your indoor and outdoor plants. They will love the nutrients compost provides, and you will be proud of your green thumb!

What Is Composting and How Does it Work Video:

Look at all The Great Composters!

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What are Some Composting Basics?

You can begin your composting efforts with a varied pile of kitchen waste. Raked leaves can also make a perfect addition to any compost pile.

These are materials that eventually decompose, and produce organic matter with helpful fungi and bacteria, acids, and enzymes.

These active elements work together to create an addition to your garden soil that will help hold water and add nutrients to the soil. Your plants will love the nutrition and the increased ability to keep insects and diseases away.

Beginning a compost pile is easy, and you get rapid results. To begin, remember that the mantra of composting is “two parts brown to one part green.” Brown includes such materials as leaves and dead plants, while green includes waste items from the kitchen and new grass clippings.

You don’t have to keep the “mantra” measurements, but it may take a bit longer for the pile to compost and be used in your garden. You can simply throw the browns and greens into a pile, and they will eventually compost.

Hot compost is considered the best and is well-managed and measured. It composts rapidly, but the results are the same. If you don’t have enough time to measure and fuss with it, don’t worry.

Another Compost Basics is Size

The size of your compost pile depends on the size of your garden. You don’t have to build up the compost into a heaping and smoking pile, nor do you have to turn it on a regular basis.

There are many sizes and types of composting containers, but you don’t have to have special equipment or devote lots of time to creating a great compost pile that can be nourishing to your garden space.

Video: Composting Basics: Boost Your Garden’s Health

Composting Basics and Other Types of Composters

There are some other ideas to help your composting efforts, such as a worm bin. A worm bin lets you compost indoors with earthworms and lets you use paper products as well as kitchen waste. It produces valuable nutrients from fungi and bacteria.

It is important that you gauge the moisture content of your compost pile, and that is an easy task. A good and well-tended compost pile produces an earthy smell. If you don’t smell the earth when you turn the materials, you probably need to add more water.

Composting Basics and Tasks

If you are an avid gardener, you likely know the benefits and easy task of composting. If you’re a beginning gardener and don’t want to get too involved until you know if you truly have a “green thumb,” composting can add an element of satisfaction and greatly improve your gardening results.

Composting is an act of nature that isn’t a hard science to figure out. It’s simply putting the right elements into a heap and watching the results.

If you want to know more about composting and how to begin in your own garden, look no further than online help or gardening books.

Your local gardening shop is also a great way to become informed about composting in your particular area and learn about composting basics and the best ways to get started.

Look at all The Great Composters!

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EJWOX Garden Compost Bin Tumbler Features

• Dual chambers for composting
• It comes with easy-to-open sliding doors
• It doesn’t take long to assemble
• Easy to turn the barrel to mix materials
• 43-gallon capacity

Garden Compost Bin Tumbler Description

This is a great tumbling composter that is easy to use and will convert your kitchen and yard scraps into nutritious material for your garden.

The two-chamber designs will allow the material to be rotated.

One chamber can compost the new material while the other holds the completed compost.

With the built-in sliding doors, this composter is easy to access, and the 43-gallon capacity means you have lots of room for your scraps.

It is available with either black or green sliding doors.

What we Liked Most about the EJWOX Tumbler

What we liked about this compost tumbler is that it spins quickly. It is also stable and should withstand strong winds. We also liked that it is well-priced, making it affordable for most people.

What we Did Not Like about the EJWOX Tumbler

What we didn’t like about this composter is that some people found it challenging to assemble, while others didn’t. As well, some found the sliding doors could be a little larger.

Garden Compost Bin from BPA Free Materials

A dual-chamber composter allows for continuous composting. Fill up one while the other nears the end of the compost process, the rich black stuff ready to use. Once empty, that becomes the one to fill up while the other completes the cycle.

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More on the EJWOX Garden Composter: FAQ

What is the bar in the middle of the composter made from?

The bar is made of metal.

Are there latches on the sliding doors?

No, there are no latches, so this composter would not be bear-proof.

Can the composter be assembled without the divider so there is only a single chamber?

Yes, it is possible to have a single chamber. It would need to be done when assembling the composter. 

Does it have a galvanized steel frame?

No, the frame is powder-coated steel.

How long does it take to make compost for the garden?

This will depend a lot on what materials are added to the composter, how often you turn the material, how warm the outside temperature is, and how damp the material is in the composter. Under the best conditions, you should plan on six weeks before seeing any compost. In the winter months, it might take several more weeks; for the best results, place the composter in a sunny spot in the garden.

Frequently Bought Together:

Compost Starter

The Compost-it Compost Starter is ideal for all composting methods, including piles, bins, barrels, and other methods.

The compost starter will help to make compost tea, which is great for feeding plants.

This compost starter will also speed up the decomposition of raw organic materials, resulting in really great organic humus.

Your garden will never look better!

Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Get started with composting by using a kitchen compost bin to collect your food scraps before taking them to your outdoor composter.

This bin has an airtight lid and a replaceable activated charcoal filter.

The good news is that this bin helps prevent odors from escaping.

It will hold several days’ worth of scraps before needing to be emptied.

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VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter

$65.99

Two separate chambers allow one side to finish composting while leaving the other side available to add fresh wastes; Constant alternation of the two sides will create an uninterrupted stream of nutritious compost.

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05/07/2026 01:54 pm GMT

Lots of Different Garden Composters Available

There are plenty of different kinds on the market, and you will find many reviewed here on Best Garden Composters.
After deciding that you want to start composting, you will need to pick the perfect area in your yard to start a compost heap or add a compost bin.
You will need a level, well-drained area to ensure any excess water drains away from the site.

A lot of people decide to let the worms do all the hard work and get a worm composting bin.
Worms love a moist environment and will eat whatever waste material they add to the compost heap or bin.
The material they eat is converted into liquid feed and compost.
We recommend The Original Vermihut Worm Composting Bin for getting the job done by using all your recycled kitchen scraps, paper waste, and cardboard.
It is considered a more efficient way to compost than a traditional compost heap.
Evidently, worm compost makes ten times the nutrients of other types of composters.

The Original Vermihut Worm Composter

$79.99

The advanced version of the worm compost bin comes with standard 5 trays; additional trays can be added. A new component, named M-board, is designed to increase airflow for better compost efficiency and to save worms.

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05/07/2026 03:44 pm GMT

What to Use in a Compost Heap or Bin

In order to get good compost, you will need to add the right materials to your compost heap or bin. The best materials to add include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, tea bags, plant material, and grass cuttings.
These types of materials will break down fairly fast and provide nitrogen and moisture to the compost.
It is also a good idea to include other materials, such as cardboard egg boxes, crumpled-up paper, and fallen leaves.

What to Add to Your Compost Heap

Get it right! Getting good compost means getting the mix right. Browns and greens need to be properly balanced.

• Greens include grass clippings, coffee grounds/tea bags, vegetable and fruit scraps, and trimmings from perennial and annual plants.
• Browns include leaves, straw, hay, and sawdust, and are high in carbon, a good source of energy for compost microbes.

You also need to make sure that your compost heap or bin gets enough air. This is important so that the material composts rather than just rotting.
Adding crumpled-up paper and cardboard is a simple but effective way to create air pockets. You can also add air to the material by turning or mixing the contents.
One way to ensure your compost has the correct enzymes to do the job is to add a compost activator to the mixture. The activator helps turn your waste into dark, rich, and great compost in less than half the time.
All you need to do is add it to the compost heap or bin. In a matter of weeks, your compost will be ready to spread in your garden. A compost activator can also revive a compost heap or bin that isn’t doing well.

How to Get the Best Out of Your Compost

You will know when your compost is ready because you will have a dark brown soil-like layer at the bottom of your compost heap or bin. It will have a spongy type of texture and will be full of nutrients.
Now all you need to do is spread the compost over your flower and garden beds to improve the soil quality. This compost will help retain moisture and suppress those pesky weeds.
As well, good compost will reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Look at all The Great Composters!

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