How to Compost in Your Boston Apartment
Why everyone should be composting
Americans create massive, massive amount of food waste each year - most of which ends up in landfills or is incinerated. This is a problem because when food ends up in a landfill, it doesn't get enough oxygen to decompose, and essentially, it just sits there rotting forever. Incineration is even worse because it emits climate change-causing CO2 and particulate matter that is harmful to human health. Composting, on the other hand, turns food waste into a useful product - essentially it recycles food! When food scraps are properly composted, it creates nutritious, rich soil which can then be used on farms and gardens here in the Boston area to grow more nutritious food. What a wonderful closed loop system! And, it is surprisingly easy to get started, no matter how small and urban your apartment is.
How it works
If you live in the North End or Eastie, composting is SUPER-EASY. Just get yourself a compost caddy to put somewhere in your kitchen, collect scraps, and then empty your caddy whenever its full at the Project Oscar compost dumpsters. I dump mine in the Project Oscar bin at the Nazzaro Center once a week. The dumpster is clearly labeled and easy to get to. If you live in Roslindale, Dudley Square, or Ashmont, compost is collected at weekly farmers markets, so you have to bring your scraps there at the allotted time. The Project Oscar pilot program this fall was really successful so hopefully we will start seeing compost dumpsters in more neighborhoods soon!
JUGs approved tips
- Get a cute compost caddy with a carbon filter to prevent any smells. (I have one and it doesn't smell in the slightest, even if you leave scraps in there for a couple of weeks.)
- Compost fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, tea bags, etc.
- Do not compost meats, oils, dairy, or anything with wrapping or packaging still on it.
- Tell your friends how easy it is!