Skip to content
Prisma
Products

Composting is easy, but people need guidance and encouragement

Over the past decade, composting has become much more popular, and the profile of a typical composter has changed. Anneli Ohvril, one of the founders of the Kompostiljon website, firmly believes that each of us can be part of the solution by transforming our food waste into a valuable resource and returning to nature what was taken from it.

Find out more about how to get started with composting and the key tips for beginners.

A shift in composting

"When Kompostiljon was founded ten years ago, the typical composter was a gardener collecting yard waste to make soil. Today’s composters are mostly home cooks looking to cut down on food waste and contribute to improving the environment," says Ohvril. She believes that people have come to understand that composting is an excellent way to close the natural cycle and return valuable nutrients to the soil.

Composting has gained momentum, especially since the start of this year, when the separate collection of bio-waste became mandatory. However, new habits take time to take root. A recent customer survey by Prisma shows that 64% of respondents collect food and other bio-waste in the proper container, 31% compost it in their garden, and 11% throw it away with household waste. "Although composting has made significant progress in Estonia in the last ten years, Kompostiljon’s goal is that no food waste ends up in incineration or landfills," explains Ohvril.

How to get started with composting

For homeowners or those living in rural areas, the first choice could be to compost bio-waste at home in the garden. People living in cities and towns will find it more convenient to use a container for collecting bio-waste, which is emptied on a scheduled basis by a waste hauler. This does not, of course, mean that composting cannot be successfully done in apartment buildings as well. Nowadays, the necessary composting tools can be found in retail stores, such as Prisma, which offers composters in 200, 450, and 900 litres.

“For many, the high price of composters has been an obstacle, but with the support of local governments, this barrier has been overcome. Additionally, several composting options have appeared on the market, including vermiculture and electric composters,” states Ohvril. She stresses that support from municipalities and communities is vital. “The distribution of composters and the organization of training events should continue and expand to make composting a routine practice.” Therefore, it is a good idea to stay informed about the support offered in your area.

Simple truths for successful composting

Almost all types of bio-waste can be composted. The only key rule to follow is that no single material should dominate the composting process.

  • Make sure to mix both food and garden waste, as this will increase the temperature and help the composting process work. The ideal compost mix includes roughly equal amounts of green leaf matter (potato skins, freshly mowed grass) and food waste, along with fibrous, woody materials like dried leaves, small branches, household paper, and sawdust.
  • Ideally, the compost should be stacked in layers, with smaller branches or bedding material placed between the layers – the branches help keep the compost aerated and prevent rotting.
  • Composting often lacks nitrogen, which is essential for moisture production. Nitrogen can be found in abundance in kitchen and garden waste, freshly mowed grass, nettles, and manure.
  • The compost bin should be placed in a shaded area of the garden; otherwise, as exposure to wind and sunlight will dry it out and it won’t be effective.
  • The compost bin should neither be too large nor too small, as it would complicate the maintenance of the process. It’s practical to have either multiple smaller bins or one larger one.

Even though composting is essentially a simple process, many people still need guidance and confirmation that they’re doing it right. “That’s why, in addition to beginners, experienced composters often attend Kompostiljon's basic composting trainings as they wish to exchange experiences and tips,” says Ohvril. “Composting is a bit like making pancakes – the ingredients are the same for everyone, but the results can differ. Each person has their own approach, which makes their compost unique,” she adds.

See also: