Composting in the kitchen.

Firstly, what is composting? “Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through natural decomposition. The end product is compost – a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material.” as the United States Environmental Protection Agency defines it (click here to learn more about composting). There are a quantity of ways to start composting safely right in your kitchen, and a lot of them are simple, space efficient, and easy to use.

Simple over the counter caddies: these are basically a very small trash bin with lid where you can put your meal preparation scraps. It is usually kept under the sink when not in use. These have different price points, from 30 to 60 dollars, depending on the manufacture and the features they have. Some have completely removable lid, some have it hinged to the base, some come with a filter for smell control, and they can be made of different materials like plastic or metal. The simple bins do require some knowledge of how to compost because they are just a container after all. If you are planning on composting with countertop bin you might want to learn how composting work and easy recipes to follow. You can find a good article about it here.

Automatic electronic composting bins: there are a variety of different versions of this helpful container, with prices that range from few to several hundred dollars depending on the amount of features it has. Most of the very expensive kitchen composting bins make the process easier by automating some of the tasks that need to be performed to facilitate composting, or they provide an ideal environment for the composting to happen faster and more easily. Most are over the counter and are essentially another small appliance. Some of them even claim to have a permanent ever working colony of bacteria that will speed start your compost. This type of bin is obviously an investment and it certainly is a far easier way of composting with less risk of the process failing.

Built-in compost bin: this version of the compost bin is not much more expensive than the electronic one, but it does require a permanent modification of your countertop and cabinet, so it is a long term solution you cannot simply put away if you decide to take a break from composting. It is an ideal solution for those who have a big garden in their back yard, and want to step up their growing game with more natural and sustainable solutions.

The most sustainable versions of this tool are the ones made of metal, durable and fully recyclable. As much as the electronic ones are a great help in making sure the composting process happens without issues, because they are essentially a small appliance, their lifecycle (total environmental impact, from raw materials, to production, distribution, consumer use, and disposal of the product by the consumer) if far from sustainable, unfortunately.
This is a good example a very affordable and sustainable composting bin for your kitchen, that even has the option of a charcoal filter for odor control.
Composting reduces waste and helps the environment by enriching the soil, it is a great way of make another step towards fully sustainable living.