Learn how to compost at home!

When talking about sustainability , one of the key issues is how to deal with waste and residues. Although the first step, fundamentally, should be to try to reduce waste generation as much as possible, it is impossible to reach zero. Therefore, the second The next step is to dispose of the waste in the most appropriate way and make the most of it using reuse techniques. Composting is a good practice.

When it comes to organic waste, the challenge is different. Unlike plastic and paper, which can be recycled, organic waste is treated differently: it requires decomposition and can then be used as fertilizer for vegetable gardens and gardens .

This is where compost bins come in, devices that can be made at home and that give the correct and ecological destination to household kitchen waste, contributing sustainably to the environment.

Step by step guide to making a compost bin at home

1. First, dig a hole in the ground , approximately 0.5 m² (or the appropriate size to store the amount of organic waste generated by residents) and 30 cm deep. To prevent the walls from collapsing, use wooden boards or a bottomless box. are good supports.
2. Without spreading it, place the organic waste until it fills the space. To avoid bad smells, cover it with plenty of dry leaves and sawdust.
3. Like a plant, water your compost bin if it’s very sunny or hot because moisture helps speed up decomposition.
4. Turn the material over every two weeks to aerate the mixture . This also helps decomposition occur faster.
5. After a few weeks, the residue turns into a dark, fluffy soil, very nutritious to be used as fertilizer.

How to compost in your apartment

1. The worm composting system has three floors, which can be made with plastic or wooden boxes or buckets, with holes in the base. Through the holes, the worms can move around and the liquid generated can be drained.
2. The top floor is where the waste should be deposited and covered with sawdust and dry leaves . The mixture should be left to “rest” for approximately one month, always maintaining humidity to accelerate decomposition and prevent the worms from dying.
3. During the rest period, the top floor moves to the middle and the middle floor moves to the top , beginning another storage cycle.
4. The floor below is used to store the liquid that runs off .
5. After about a month, the fertilizer will be ready to use . To remove it, place the compost bin in the sun, which will make the worms dig deeper and seek less heat, so you can remove the fertilizer little by little. without harming the worms.
6. The liquid from downstairs is also a great fertilizer , just dilute it in a ratio of 1 part liquid/10 parts water and water the plants once a week.