Nothing brings your attention to the amount of waste in your life quite like the holidays. Between food scraps from intricate recipes and recycling bags filled with empty paper boxes and heaps of wrapping paper, our collective carbon footprints tend to expand throughout the later months of the year. So as we’ve entered into 2022, it may be time to start looking for ways to reduce said footprint. One—composting—is a simple, at-home process that cuts your waste by nearly a third, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, while creating a super moist, enriched soil that’s beneficial to plants and vegetation.
To get started, check out this quick rundown of what can and cannot be composted from the EPA. Everyday items like fruits and vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, and coffee filters, paper, cardboard, and shredded newspaper are prime composting materials. Next, decide how you’re going to compost. Most people in cities opt for an indoor compost bin—we’ll get to our favorite in a moment—and from there, you can either create your own outdoor composting pile or you can drop it off at a neighborhood collection site.
Our favorite bin for stashing items to be composted is the OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean compost bin. It’s available in 0.75-gallon and 1.75-gallon sizes, so decide how much waste you make every few days. Just you and your partner? Opt for the smaller size. Family of four? You’ll likely need the bigger version, unless you make emptying your compost bin a part of your daily routine. OXO’s bin has a sleek design that fits effortlessly into the freezer, where many experts suggest stashing your compost. Having easy access to your bin will make it simple to toss carrot and potato peels and dump coffee grounds, rather than opting for the trash can.
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And what’s more, keeping your pale in the freezer helps keep odors at at bay. The OXO bin, additionally, has a flat-lying lid that easily opens and closes, making filling it a cinch, with no mess and no chance for stench to escape. The lid is also removable with a rotating handle, making emptying the bin a breeze. Additionally, the smooth interior walls prevent food and liquid buildup. A quick wash, and you’re back in business for the next round.
Now, let’s add “discover green thumb” to the 2022 resolution list, and perhaps that at-home veggie garden will finally materialize.
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