Simple Steps for Starting at Home

Provided by DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling

www.scdhec.gov/dontwastefoodsc
Composting is nature’s way Table of
to recycle. Contents
What type of
composting works
Composting happens. It’s simply the slow, natural decomposition of best for me?............... 3
organics.
Backyard
Composting at home is the controlled and faster decomposition of Composting................ 4

organics such as yard trimmings and food waste that you and your Do-It-Yourself Bins.....4
family generate. Microorganisms break down this material into compost
Bins to Buy..................5
– a nutrient-rich product that can be used as a soil amendment in yards,
gardens, flower beds and potted plants. Open Composting......5

Backyard Composting
Step-By-Step...............6

Why compost at home? What goes in your

backyard compost?....7

• It’s good for you and the environment. Temperature

Check...........................8

The product you make is valuable. It can improve the soil, prevent Common Problems
& Simple Solutions.....8
erosion, reduce the use of fertilizer and water – saving natural
resources and money – as well as decrease the amount of waste you When is my compost
generate. ready to use?...............9

Other Methods
of Composting
• It involves little effort, equipment, expense and & Diversion.............. 10
expertise. You can reduce food
waste at home......... 12
This guide addresses several home composting options and will help
Resources & Contact
you decide which one is best for you. Backyard composting is the Information............. 12
most common choice and the focus of this publication.

Let’s get started.

Consider the following questions when planning
to compost at home. Use the flow chart on the
following page to help you decide which method to
use.

1. How much space do you have

at home?
2. What material will you be
composting?
3. How much time and effort can
you give to this project?

2 Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home

What type of composting works best for me?

START HERE Can you compost at home?

Commercial
Where? Yes No Hauler
Page 11

How do you feel

Outside Inside Ick!
about worms? Bokashi
Page 11

What will Food waste

Worm Bin
you compost? only
Page 10

Food waste Got leaves?

& yard mix (Or paper or straw?) Green Cone
Page 10
Yes No
Want super
Just leaves
simple? Piles & Heaps
Yes, K.I.S.S.! Page 5

Not that simple

Pile or Bin
Page 5 Sheet Mulching/
Compost IN No
Lasagna Gardening
Sure Page 5
the garden?
Tumbler or
Rolling Bin Can you dig it?
Page 5
No, let’s have a Pits & Trenches
Yes
“compost area” Page 5

Circular or What’s your style?

Enclosed Bin + fun?
Page 5 Worried Fan Favorite!
about pests? Wooden
Shabby chic
or Pallet Bin*
Yes Very Page 4

Spend $$? Not really YES! Substantial

No DIY? Elegant

Minimalist
Free is good (AKA easy + inexpensive)

Brick Bin* Cinder Block

ADAPTED
Bin*
Page 4 Page 4
FROM Wire Bin*
Page 4 *Triple these to make
gardensthatmatter.com a 3-section system.

Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home 3

Backyard Composting Options
Do-It-Yourself Bins
TYPE PROS & CONS SUGGESTIONS & PRECAUTIONS
Bricks Pros: Long-lasting, neat appearance, Layer bricks to leave spaces for
inexpensive if reusing material, can aeration.
add material during process.
Cons: Time consuming to build,
expensive if using new material, Brick Bin
cannot be moved.
Cinder Pros: Long-lasting, holes provide Mortar may not be required if
Blocks aeration without having to turn stacked evenly. You should need 20
material as often, inexpensive for or less standard cinder blocks for a
reused or new material, can add bin 3 feet square.
material during process.
Cons: Cannot be moved.
Wire Pros: Simple to build, inexpensive Cut an opening in the wire towards
for reused or new material, can add the bottom to remove finished
material during the process. compost.
Cons: Temperature may not stay Cinder Block Bin
as hot.
Wooden Pros: Inexpensive if reusing Untreated wood is preferred. Check
or Pallets material. with local stores to see if they will
Cons: Will have to be replaced donate used pallets. Using chicken
eventually due to decomposition of wire in combination with the wood
the wood. will help hold materials in the bin.
Three Pros: Reduces decomposition time Fill the first bin with material. When
Sections from months to weeks, provides it’s full, turn the contents into the
storage for finished compost, can second bin. Begin filling the first bin
produce higher volume of material again while continuing the process
at varied intervals, can add material
of moving the material from the Wire Bin
during process. second to the third bin. When the
Cons: Time consuming to build, material in the third bin is ready,
more manual labor to turn material. remove the finished compost and
begin the process again.

DIY Wire Bin SHOPPING LIST

• 4-ft. metal poles (4) • zip ties (12+)
• chicken wire (12+ ft.) • metal clips (3+)

Wooden Bin

STEP 1: STEP 2: STEP 3:

Use a hammer to drive Use about 12 feet of chicken Leave one end detached so
metal posts or rebar into wire to wrap around the the bin can be opened to turn
the ground. Space the posts outside of the posts. Attach the pile. Use metal clips to
about 3 feet apart. wire to posts with zip ties. close the open end.
Three-Section Bin

4 Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home

Bins to Buy
TYPE PROS & CONS
Circular Pros: Lightweight, adjustable, can add material during process.
Bins
Cons: Minimal barrier to pets/pests.
Enclosed Pros: Neat appearance, low cost, low maintenance, good barrier to pets/
Bins pests.
Circular Bin
Cons: Slower decomposition time, cannot add material once full, limited
space for material.
Rolling Pros: Can be moved for loading and emptying or for out-of-sight storage,
Bins or low maintenance, less manual labor, faster decomposition time, good
Barrels barrier to pets/pests.

Cons: Fully loaded drums can be heavy and difficult to roll, less capacity
for material.
Tumblers Pros: Simple loading and emptying, low maintenance, less manual labor,
good barrier to pets/pests.

Cons: Fully loaded drums can be heavy and difficult to turn, less capacity
Enclosed Bin
for material.

Open Composting
TYPE PROS & CONS SUGGESTIONS & PRECAUTIONS
Piles Pros: Minimal labor, can add When adding material, mix well and
material during process, low cover with browns.
maintenance.

Cons: Slower decomposition, no Tumblers

barrier to pets/pests.
Pits or Pros: Minimal labor, no browns Fully cover greens and bury where
Trenches required, low maintenance. pets will not dig.

Cons: Slower decomposition, new

holes/trenches required for new
material.
Sheet Pros: No moving compost to Overlap cardboard or wet
Mulching garden, low maintenance. newspaper for the weed barrier and
or Lasagna plant directly into the top layers.
Gardening Cons: Wait time for planting, no
barrier to pets/pests. Pit Composting

Collecting Your Household Food Waste

A container with a lid is a great way to store food waste in the kitchen
until you are ready to take it outside. To avoid odors and flies, empty the
container at least every two days, sprinkle sawdust on top of food layers
or store your food waste in the freezer.

Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home 5

Backyard Composting Step-By-Step
Once you’ve decided which backyard option you’ll be using, follow these steps.

Size matters. Connect to the soil. Add ingredients.

1 Three square feet is ideal for
a pile or bin, but don’t exceed
2 Your compost needs
microorganisms from the soil.
3 Making compost is a lot like
cooking a meal – you need
5 square feet. The spot If using a pile or bin open to a recipe. Alternate layers of
should be level and at least the ground, loosen the soil greens and browns as listed
2 feet away from structures about an inch deep before below. TIP: Make sure the
(e.g., house, fence, trees). adding material. For enclosed top layer is always browns.
bins, place a layer of soil at
the bottom of the container.

Check moisture. Mix it up. Watch and it’s done!

4 Water is important. Too 5 Air is essential. Use a
pitchfork, shovel or roll
6 As material breaks down the
compost will get warm. Don’t
little moisture will inhibit the
composting process. Too your tumbler to turn your be alarmed if there is steam.
much moisture will cause the compost – preferably once Wait about 12 weeks. When
compost to smell. TIP: The a week, but no less than your compost has no pieces
compost should be as moist twice a month – to inhibit of food and is a dark, soil-like
as a damp sponge. odor-causing bacteria and to material, it’s ready! See pages
speed the process. 8 and 9 for more tips.

The Compost Recipe

Four basic ingredients are required for backyard composting:
1) browns; 2) greens; 3) air; and 4) water.
Mixing the right amounts of these ingredients will provide the composting
microorganisms with enough carbon and nitrogen as well as oxygen and
moisture to break down the material into finished compost.
Recipes vary. A common mix is three parts browns to one part greens.
Other variables in making compost include pile size, content, particle
size, turning frequency, moisture and temperature. Getting the right
proportions may take time and adjustments, but don’t get bogged down
on the recipe.

6 Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home

What goes in your backyard compost?
CARBON MATERIALS (Browns) NITROGEN MATERIALS (Greens)
Shredded cardboard Bread & grains

Dryer and vacuum Coffee grounds

cleaner lint & paper filters

Fruits (cooked or
Crushed egg shells
uncooked – limit citrus)

Fireplace or wood ash (no coal ash) Green grass clippings

Hay and straw Green leaves

Pinestraw (small amounts) Green shrub prunings

Nut shells Hair and fur

Household plants
House plants
and used potting soil

Old brush, shrub trimmings

Kelp or seaweed
and prunings

Manure from chickens,

Paper towels and towel rolls
rabbits, cows, horses (herbivores)

Saw dust and wood chips

Old flowers
(untreated)

Shredded newspaper Tea bags (with tags)

Yard trimmings
Vegetables (cooked or uncooked)
(dry leaves, clippings and twigs)

NOTE: Always mix food waste into the middle of the pile to avoid odors and pests.

DO NOT COMPOST THESE ITEMS IN BACKYARD BINS!

Coal ash from briquettes Glass Plastic
Dairy products Meat, bones or seafood scraps Treated or painted wood
Trimmings toxic to other plants (e.g.,
Diseased or infected plants Metal
black walnut, hemlock)
Dog, cat or human waste Oils, fats, grease or lard Weeds, roots or seeds

Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home 7

Temperature Check
Temperature is an essential component of composting. As organic
material decomposes, heat is produced. This heat provides an
environment where the microorganisms can work to break down
the material. Understanding and monitoring the temperature are
integral to ensuring that you produce quality compost that is free
from potentially harmful pathogens.
Here is some basic information on temperature.
• A properly working compost pile will reach temperatures of
130°F to 160°F.
• Use a compost thermometer. Temperatures should be taken
from the center of the pile where it is hottest. Keep a record to
compare different phases based on ingredients and methods.
• Heat destroys pathogens and weed seeds. Most pathogens
are destroyed at temperatures of 130°F to 140°F for 72 hours.
Most weed seeds are destroyed at temperatures of 140°F or
above for 72 hours.
• Don’t overheat. Heating your pile above 170°F for more than
a few hours is not recommended because it inhibits most
microorganisms and shuts down decomposition.

Common Problems & Simple Solutions

Anytime you try something new, problems can arise. Luckily, composting is not too complicated
and most problems are simple and can be easily remedied. Here are the usual trouble spots.

SYMPTOM SITUATION SOLUTION

The pile has a rotten-egg smell. There is too much water. Turn the pile and add more browns if
it’s soggy.
The pile has an ammonia smell. There is too much nitrogen or not Add browns and turn the pile.
enough air.
The pile isn’t decomposing quickly The pile is too small. Mix new ingredients into the pile.
enough or isn’t producing enough
heat. The material is too dry. Add water and turn the pile.
The pile needs nitrogen. Add greens.
The pile needs oxygen. Turn the pile more frequently.
The pile is too hot. The temperature There is too much nitrogen. Add browns and water, then turn the
is 170°F or above. pile.
The pile is losing heat before the The material is going anaerobic – Add greens and turn the pile.
compost is finished. losing air.
Flies and/or gnats are around the The greens are exposed. Check the material list on page 7.
pile. Cover the greens with browns.

8 Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home

When is your compost Uses for Compost
ready to use? • Use it as mulch. Spread
2-3 inches around plants,
trees, shrubs to help retain
When material at the bottom has no remnants of food or moisture.
yard trimmings and the pile begins to cool, your compost
should be ready to use. The temperature will begin to • Use it on the lawn. Apply
drop while turning the pile just before the compost is 1-3 inches of compost to your
cured and ready to use. It will be the rich brown color of lawn and water it into the soil.
good soil and smell earthy. It will leave you with healthier
soil that holds water better
and keeps your grass green.
Do this once a year and you’ll
need less fertilizer.
The nose knows. • Use it as a soil amendment.
A simple smell test can be About one month before
done to see if your compost is planting, apply 1-3 inches of
ready. Place a small amount in compost and work it in the
a plastic bag and take a whiff top 3-4 inches of soil. Your
before sealing the bag. After flowers and plants will thrive.
a few days of storing the bag Compost also can be used in
in a dark place, the sample should the garden as a top dressing
smell the same as it did before. If or mulch.
it smells worse, your compost
• Use it with potting soil. Mix
needs more time to cure.
1 part compost with 2 parts
potting soil.

Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home 9

 Other Methods of
Composting & Diversion
• Grasscycling
Grasscycling is the natural recycling of grass clippings by
leaving them on the lawn after mowing. Grass clippings
consist of at least 80 percent water and rapidly decompose.
They enhance soil fertility – returning water, nitrogen and
other valuable nutrients to the soil. You spend less time
maintaining the yard and save money by using less fertilizer
and water.

Grasscycling
• Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting –
composting with worms
– turns food waste into a
nutrient-rich soil amendment
from worm castings
and can be used on both
houseplants and outdoor plants.
Vermicomposting is relatively easy
– using only a container, bedding, worms, water and food
waste from your home. Worm bins can be purchased or
easily made with a 3 to 12-gallon plastic storage bin. Bedding
can be shredded newspaper or leaves. The worms needed
for vermicomposting are red wigglers (Eisenia fetida),
which can eat their weight in organic material per day and
can be purchased locally or online. This project is great
Vermicomposting Bin for indoor composting in a minimal space and is virtually
odorless. It typically takes three to four months to produce
vermicompost. Another product of vermicomposting is
“worm tea” that is a high-quality liquid fertilizer.

• Food Digesters
Food digesters – also know as Green Cone Composters –
are designed to accelerate the natural decomposition
process by raising temperatures, maintaining aerobic
conditions, and encouraging the growth of microorganisms.
This system processes almost all household food waste
including the “don’ts” like raw and cooked meat, fish, bones
and dairy. The cone has a basket installed below the ground,
which forms the base for an above ground solar chamber
with a sealed access lid. The food waste is converted into
water, carbon dioxide and a small amount of residue
Food Digester

10 Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home

 without the need for mixing or turning the waste. After about five years the small quantity of
residue is removed and dug into the garden soil.

• Bokashi
Bokashi is an anaerobic method developed in Japan that uses
inoculated bran to ferment food waste. Food waste is broken
down quickly by microorganisms until it is pickled –
producing “pre-compost” that can be mixed with soil.
This method also creates a leachate that can be used as
compost tea – a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Bokashi bran and
equipment are required for this method.

• Commercial Compost Haulers

Commercial composters may have residential pick-up or
drop-off options in your area. Because the material is going
to a commercial compost site, more compostables can be
included with food waste such as meat, bones, compostable
plates and dinnerware, wax paper and spoiled leftovers.
Contact your county recycling coordinator at www.scdhec.gov/
recyclehereSC, or find a compost hauler in the Green Resource
Bokashi-Style Bucket
Index at www.scdhec.gov/gri.

Visit www.scdhec.gov/compost to learn more about these and other methods of composting.

Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home 11

You can reduce food waste at home.
Food waste is the No. 1 item thrown away by Americans
– accounting for 21.6 percent (38.4 million tons) of the
nation’s waste in 2014 according to the EPA.
Most food waste is generated at home – much of
which is safe and wholesome, and could have been
consumed.

It is estimated that a family of four

throws away about $1,500 worth of
food every year.
The Don’t Waste Food SC campaign provides tips on
how South Carolinians can reduce food waste at home
through prevention, donation and composting. Do your
part. Visit www.scdhec.gov/dontwastefoodsc to learn
what you can do.

Resources & Contact Information

DHEC’s Composting Web Page
Website......................................................................................................................www.scdhec.gov/compost

DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling

Telephone....................................................................................................................................... 1-800-768-7348
Website.........................................................................................................................www.scdhec.gov/recycle

“Composting: Recycling Naturally – Simple Steps for Starting at Home“ is a publication of DHEC’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling.
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