The Do’s, Don’ts, and What’s Actually Worked for Us
If you’ve ever paused mid–meal prep wondering whether a carrot peel belongs in the trash or somewhere better, you’re already halfway to composting.
Kitchen composting doesn’t have to be complicated or pretentious. At its core, it’s just a small, everyday habit that keeps food scraps out of the landfill and returns nutrients to the soil where they belong. But like most things, it works best when it’s simple and realistic.
Here’s a straightforward guide to composting from your kitchen: what to compost, what to skip, and what we’ve learned through a lot of trial, error, and a few regrettable smells.
What Does Belong in Your Kitchen Compost Bin
Most plant-based kitchen scraps are great candidates for compost.
Good everyday compost items include:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps (peels, cores, ends)
- Eggshells (crushed if you can)
- Coffee grounds and paper filters
- Loose tea and compostable tea bags (remove staples)
- Paper towels or napkins used only for food
- Herbs or houseplant trimmings
A helpful rule of thumb: if it grew from the ground and hasn’t been heavily processed, it probably belongs in the compost.
Cutting or tearing scraps into smaller pieces helps them break down faster and keeps the bin easier to manage.
What to Keep Out of the Bin
Some foods cause more problems than they’re worth, especially in a countertop bin.
Avoid composting:
- Meat, fish, or bones
- Dairy products
- Oily or greasy foods
- Cooked foods with lots of seasoning
- Plastic, produce stickers, or rubber bands
These items tend to smell quickly, attract pests, and make composting feel frustrating instead of helpful.
What’s Actually Worked Best for Us
After trying different setups, here’s what we’ve learned matters most.
Skip the Charcoal Pads
Charcoal filters sound like a good idea, but they usually just cover odors instead of preventing them. They also need to be replaced often, which adds cost and waste.
Empty the Bin Often
This is the single most important factor. An empty compost bin doesn’t smell.
In warm weather, emptying every day or two makes a huge difference. Composting works best when scraps move through quickly.
Use All Stainless Steel
Stainless steel bins are far easier to live with than plastic or ceramic.
They don’t absorb odors, they clean easily, and they hold up over time.
One of our favorite options is actually commercial stainless steel food pans — the kind used in cafeterias and commercial kitchens. They’re durable, affordable, easy to rinse, and surprisingly perfect for compost. Sometimes the best tools aren’t marketed for home kitchens, they’re just well-designed.
Simple Habits That Make Composting Easier
- Rinse the bin every time you empty it
- Let it dry before refilling
- Add a paper towel or scrap paper if things feel wet
- Store scraps in the fridge or freezer if you can’t empty the bin right away
Composting Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
Composting is a practice, not a performance. Some days you’ll remember every scrap. Some days you won’t. Both are fine.
Yes, we can (and will) get a lot more technical about your browns ratio, temperature, and other things as you look to finetune your composting journey… but the hardest part to anything is getting started, so this blog helps outline the starting points.
Every bit of food waste kept out of the landfill matters, even when the system isn’t flawless. Composting is simply one way to stay connected to where food comes from and where it should go next.
If you’re curious about seasonal eating, reducing food waste, or building better kitchen habits tied to local food, we’ll keep sharing what we’re learning, right alongside the farmers who make it all possible.
