The Basics:
Food Waste + Straw (or old leaves) + Water + Air = Compost (AKA Incredible Fertilizer)
Add straw or old leaves to your household food waste, water every once in a while, turn it on occasion to get air circulating and you’ll get compost.

Get Started:
There are many ways to get your food waste to break down.

• A brochure that broadly covers your options and helps you get started.

• Reviews of some outdoor compost bins including worm bins on the market as well as some good ideas for DIY projects if you would like to build your own set up.

• If you are interested in exploring the world of worm composting (also known as vermiculture) WSU extension has some great information to get you started and also offers troubleshooting.
  

Avoid conflicts with wildlife:

• This link is specifically for folks who can’t have a free standing outdoor pile due to bears, pests, limited yard space, etc. It includes prices for both indoor and outdoor composters:

• Here are some tips from our neighbors to the north and northeast for keeping bears out of your pile: from Vermont and from Canada.
  

Composting in Winter:
You can keep your compost going through the winter.

Summary:
There are many ways to compost! Choose what works best for you. How quickly your food waste breaks down depends on outside temperature, how moist the pile is, and how often you turn it. It is possible to compost in bear country and in the winter. Compost does not have to be smelly.

Please call 997-0520 or email us if you have questions!