For the uninitiated, composting might seem like a complicated practice that only the environmentally conscious would do. Besides, isn't composting in a space-constrained HDB flat a challenging feat? The fact is, composting is a growing trend in Singapore, and it's not as difficult as you think! Here's a simple guide to help you get started.
Why should you compost?
Did you know that annually, Singaporeans throw away food that amounts to about S$342 million? That means an average household tosses away the equivalent of 52 plates of nasi lemak per year!
Thus by composting you'll be able to reduce food waste, even if it’s by a little bit (every bit counts!) And if you have plants, you can transform your waste into useful nutrients for them – killing two birds with one stone!
What can be composted?
A variety of ingredients – brown and green – are needed in your compost. The more varied the materials in your compost, the richer the finished product.
Examples of “browns” include:
- Plant waste like twigs and dried leaves
- Cardboard materials like toilet roll tubes and egg cartons
- Newspapers, waste paper and napkins
- Eggshells, hair and fur
Examples of “greens” include:
- Plant waste like grass clippings, leaves and weeds
- Vegetable offcuts and fruit peels
- Loose tea leaves, teabags, coffee grounds
To avoid pest and foul odours, avoid:
- Cooked and oily food
- Citrus and onions
- Animal food scraps like meat, fish and dairy
- Pet droppings
- Diseased plant clippings
- Non-biodegradable materials
Types of composting
So now that we've talked about what can be composted, what do we need to get started on composting? For a basic setup you'll need:
- A watering can
- A gardening fork or trowel
- Some potting soil
- Fertiliser
- A bucket with a lid
This method of composting is known as aerobic composting, and when well-aired and regularly mixed, it's the most unobtrusive method in a flat with space constraints.
However, there are also Bokashi composting and vermicomposting, which are modifications to the aerobic method.
Bokashi
Bokashi translates to ‘fermented organic matter’, and bokashi bins are a composting tool commonly used in Japanese households for composting. The method involves layering kitchen scraps with a Bokashi inoculant in a special bucket.
You can buy complete kits for getting started in Bokashi composting that comes with the effective Bokashi microorganisms. The Bokashi bucket has an air-tight lid and a spigot at the bottom to drain off the liquid that is produced. The liquid must be drained off to prevent the bucket from developing an unpleasant odor, and the liquid serves as a very nutritious "bokashi tea" that can be used to fertilize houseplants.
To use your bokashi bin:
- Add food waste to the bin once a week
- Atop each 3-4cm layer of scraps and sprinkle bokashi mix
- Press down firmly to squeeze the air out, before sealing the container
- Drain the “bokashi tea” every 1-2 days and use it immediately
- After about 2 weeks, move the solid waste to your compost bin
Vermicomposting
Not for the fainthearted, vermicomposting uses worms to turn kitchen scraps and other green waste into a rich, dark soil. They eat and break down your waste, and the 'worm poo' is surprisingly loaded with nutrients.
In general, having a worm bin requires very little attention. Worms are surprisingly low-maintenance housemates! They don’t need to be fed every day, they don't smell, they make no noise, and their bins only need to be cleaned every three to six months.
Watch this mother and daughter try out vermicomposting for a week!
Organic waste makes up to 75 to 80 percent of our total waste. For those of us who cook and grow plants at home, composting is a good step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. With some simple tools, you can give your fruit peels, vegetable off-cuts and waste materials a new lease of life!