The Best Way To Make Fertilizer From Kitchen Waste

Composting is the biological decomposition of organic waste by recycling food and other organic materials into compost, which was cultivated during the Neolithic Age in Scotland.

Two ways to home compost are through the aerobic and anaerobic method. Aerobic composting involves the decomposition of organic materials using oxygen and is the recommended method for home composting.

Making fertilizer from kitchen waste is a great way to recycle organic materials and create nutrient-rich soil for your plants. Follow 5 steps to turn trash into resources and live a sustainable life.

1. Setting up composting

Choose a suitable location in your yard with good drainage and partial sunlight, protected from extreme weather conditions. You can compost in several ways with compost bin, compost pile or composting machine.

Traditional backyard composting is excellent when you have sufficient outdoor space and enough time to actively manage the compost pile or compost bin. However, if you have limited space, a composting machine may be more suitable.

The composting machine accelerates the decomposition process to 24 hours, compared with the compost pile which may cost 2 to 6 months. It becomes an efficient option for those with limited space or who prefer a neater approach. The composting machine reduces the risk of attracting pests like ants, flies, rodents, raccoons or producing unpleasant odors associated with traditional compost piles.

HONBASE food waste composters help accelerate the decomposition process to 24 hours, compared with the compost pile which may cost 2 to 6 months.

2. Collecting kitchen waste

The best way to make fertilizer from kitchen waste is to mix green and brown materials, avoid adding meat, dairy, or greasy foods. In this way, it helps maintain the proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratio along with proper oxygen and water levels, which is essential for a healthy decomposition process. An effective ratio is 25-30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen.

Green materials - rich in nitrogen and break down efficiently

fruit and vegetable scraps: peels, cores, rinds, and any parts of fruits and vegetables that are not edible.

coffee grounds, tea bags, and filters: as long as you remove any staples or synthetic materials before composting.

crushed eggshells

grass clippings

cut flowers and houseplants

herbs and spices

leftover bread, cooked rice, pasta, and other grains

non-greasy food leftovers

nutrient-rich liquids: leftover vegetable broth or water used to boil vegetables

Brown materials - supply carbon and ensure a balanced compost mix

dry leaves

straws

shredded paper

tree trimmings

wood chips

sawdust

pine needles

nutshells

Materials to avoid - attract pests and slow down the decomposition process

animal products: meat, poultry, fish, seafood, bones, and other animal products

dairy products: milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter

deep-fried dishes and greasy leftovers

cooking oil, grease, and fat

plants infected with diseases or pests

weeds that have seeds

pet waste

non-biodegradable materials: plastics, metals, synthetic fibers, glass, rubber, or rocks

3. Adding layers

Once you set up the system, begin the composting by a layering process. Breaking down ingredients before adding them to the compost pile will allow them to decompose more easily and quickly. Start with a layer of coarse ingredients to allow for airflow, then alternate with layers of green materials with brown materials to balance carbon and nitrogen. 

The green materials provide nitrogen, while the brown materials supply carbon, ensuring a balanced compost mix. Too much carbon will result in a drier compost pile that will take more time to decompose while too much nitrogen will result in a more moist, slimy, and pungent pile. A good rule of thumb is to alternate two to four parts browns for every one part greens. For example, add some shredded paper, straw, or dry leaves between layers of food scraps.

4. Maintaining composting

Turn the compost regularly (every 1–2 weeks) to help aerate the materials and speed up decomposition. The composting machine will periodically turn and mix the materials to provide oxygen for the microorganisms that break down the organic matter in this aerobic environment, and the heat generated during the process helps speed up decomposition.

Composting can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the materials used, temperature, and how often you turn the pile. Regularly monitor the moisture level, aiming for a damp, sponge-like consistency. Aeration is also crucial to ensure bacteria get enough oxygen.

You can add more food scraps to the composter from time to time as you do your daily cooking and gardening. If the compost is too wet, add more dry brown material — leaves, wood chips, shredded cardboard, etc. If the compost is too dry, sprinkle water as you turn the compost or add moisture-rich food scraps.

5. Using the fertilizer

When the bucket is full, and the compost should look dark, crumbly, and smell earthy, your compost is ready. You can use it as a rich, organic fertilizer for your plants. Simply mix it into the soil or spread it as a top dressing.

Instead of throwing away food waste, you're giving them a second life by turning them into something useful for your garden. Composting reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, which helps decrease methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas more than 28 times the effect of CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

The compost can be added to soil to improve its structure, fertility, and ability to retain moisture, all of which help plants grow better. It's an eco-friendly way to recycle kitchen waste while benefiting your plants and garden. Plus, it reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, making it a more natural and sustainable alternative! Making fertilizer from kitchen waste is not just a step towards sustainability, but also a contribution to a greener planet.

References: Home composting, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_composting