Compost...The Not So Stinky Truth.

We I started composting, officially, over Memorial weekend. I've had several failed attempts before and a few lazy techniques to compost a few scraps, but never have I gone all-out for composting. I have to say, it really isn't that much work. It isn't very stinky, either.

However, it is a bit ugly.

Isn't that purty? I know they sell cute little compost buckets with lids, but a family of 5 produces significantly more than the cute little bucket can hold. This bowl full is less than one day's worth of scraps! I have a bowl this full EVERY DAY. I cannot believe we were throwing that in the garbage or down the disposer.

The cute little compost buckets also come with a charcoal filter, to help with odor control. The truth is, this bowl of waste doesn't stink. It doesn't draw any more flies or fruit flies than we already had. (ahem, the 3 year old isn't so great at closing the door!)  It's unattractive and a little gross, but it really has no odor. Perhaps someone who lives alone might not create enough vegetable & fruit scraps to dump their bucket everyday and they would need the cute one with the charcoal filter.

Our scraps don't stink and our compost bin doesn't stink. It's early and we haven't had the "dog days of summer" in any great quantity, so I suppose it could become stinky at some point. I've been adding a layer of ripped/shredded paper and dirt with each bowl full of kitchen scraps that I dump in the bin. I've read that the paper helps with the pile getting smelly and the dirt just helps the process along a bit faster.

I'll keep you posted on the stink situation!