Set up this simple indoor compost station that your family can use without needing to ask “what goes in here?”

My family is moving to the country and we are giving up our garbage service. Judging by the amount of garbage we’ve created this week as we pack, I’m afraid that I haven’t prepared my family for the reality of composting kitchen scraps.

Of course, one of the first things you learn as you begin to garden are the benefits of composting for improving garden soil.  Those kitchen scraps are a big part of it. I’ve been composting for several years on a small scale and have a mini DIY compost bin at the ready, but somehow my family just never caught on to it.

Now that we will have the room outdoors (and the raw materials) I would like to kick it up a notch or two.

It’s easy to compost kitchen scraps

First things first – set up your system. We’ve always had a garbage can under the sink. NO MORE! They are going to have to decide – compost, recycle or burn – when they have something to throw away.

You can purchase a beautiful counter top compost bucket for the scraps. Since I waited until the last possible moment, I’m using what I have on hand.

I set up this simple jug to compost kitchen scraps. With the do’s and don’ts of acceptable materials right on the side.  It leaves no room for questions, don’t you think? With one glance they can decide if an item that they would normally throw away is good for the compost bin or recycling.

Every day or two the jug will be emptied into the mini compost bin by the back door. Easy peasy!

The idea to compost kitchen scraps is part of a larger recycling project we are doing at our new home to save money, the environment and improve our garden soil. Check back soon to see our home recycling center and other ways we are cutting down on waste in our family.

Here are some of my favorite composting books. Check your local library or follow these links to Amazon.

Organic Gardener’s Composting by Steve Solomon

Let it Rot!: The Gardener’s Guide to Composting (Third Edition) (Storey’s Down-To-Earth Guides) by Stu Campbell

The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and … most flavorful, nutritious vegetables ever by Deborah Martin

Do you compost your kitchen scraps? Tell us about it on our Facebook page or in the comments below and click through to our new Pinterest board – Composting Turn Your Spoil into Soil.

Shared with: Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways –  Natural Family Friday – From the Farm Blog Hop –

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