Backyard Composting

Composting is an easy way to reduce the organic waste you are sending to the landfill- but sometimes getting started can seem a bit overwhelming. Here are a few quick tips to help you build your own compost pile at home. 

  • Step 1: Choose your location. When picking a spot for your home compost pile, make sure it is easy to access year-round and free of standing water. 
  • Step 2: Stock up on browns. Browns are dry plant materials. To compost year-round, you will need to gather a volume of browns roughly the size of your bin or the pile you would like your compost pile to be.
  • Step 3: Layer greens with those browns! I’s time to start composting. As you have food scraps and fresh yard waste, add them to your pile and cover them with browns. Layers should be 4 inches deep or less. The general guideline is 3 parts brown for every 1 part green.

That’s it! Not too much to getting started. To contain your compost, you can buy or build a compost bin, as long as it has an open bottom. Or, don’t contain it at all! Loose composting piles also work.

What goes in the bin? 

Here is a breakdown of what can be considered “brown material” in your compost pile. 

  • Dry leaves
  • Wood chips
  • Shredded paper
  • Paper towels and toilet paper tubes
  • Stray or hay
  • Cardboard 
  • Paper bags
  • Sawdust

As for “green material,” here’s what can be included: 

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Tea bags (with no plastic)
  • Eggshells
  • Plant scraps
  • Grass clippings
  • Flowers

Finally, here are some materials that SHOULD NOT go in your compost pile: 

  • Whole branches or logs
  • Pet or human waste
  • Charcoal briquette ash
  • Sawdust from treated wood
  • Meat or Dairy

Troubleshooting your pile

When starting a compost, there can be the fear that you are doing something wrong. Or that the smell will make your neighbors angry. Here are a few common issues to look for once you start composting and how to fix them. 

  • Too smelly? - Not enough air, or too much green. Mix pile and or/add brown material.
  • Too Slow? - Not enough water. Moisten and mix pile.
  • Damp and warm only in the center? - Pile is too small. Collect more materials to mix in the pile
  • Pile is damp and sweet smelling, but not hot? Not enough greens. Mix in more green materials, including grass clippings or weeds. 
  • Fruit flies everywhere? Too much green. Mix the pile and add more brown material to the top.

If you need more help or advice, contact us at solid.waste@lenawee.mi.us.