Need A Sustainable Way To Dispose Of Food Scraps? Read On For The Best Countertop Composters For Small Kitchens

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Food is a basic human need, yet we take it for granted—creating food waste that contributes to 6% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Restaurants, grocery stores and our own households generate a good amount of food waste on a daily basis. And if you have a tiny squad of picky eaters, you know that’s not far from the truth!

So what can society as a whole do to lower our carbon footprint when it comes to food waste? The answer to that is indoor composting—and you don’t need a backyard to do it.

What Is Composting?

Composting is the method of taking food scraps and other organic items, placing them into a bin, and allowing everything to decompose and biodegrade into nutrient-rich material.

Composting is really quite beautiful. You’re essentially guiding dead matter into the afterlife, where it will emerge as something purposeful—it will contribute to the growth of new living matter. It’s literally the circle of life.

Compost acts as a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner that’s used throughout the world for organic farming, gardening and landscaping. It also acts as a natural pesticide, reducing the need for harmful chemicals in agriculture.

There are three main ways to compost:

• Continuous composting occurs outdoors within large containers. This is a method primarily used by gardeners. Food scraps and landscape items such as weeds, grass clippings and twigs are continuously placed inside to biodegrade.

• Just as the name infers, batch composting occurs in batches in order to biodegrade at a faster rate. Food waste and other material are added into a pile at one time, then mixed and tumbled a couple of times a day until the compost is “cooked” and ready to be used. Then it’s switched out with new waste and the process is repeated.

• Indoor composting consists of composting on a smaller scale—mostly kitchen food scraps which are tossed into a gallon sized countertop bin that contains an odor absorbing charcoal filter (though not all bins require one). This smaller production of compost is typically used on household plants and small gardens, and it’s a great way fo strive for a zero-waste kitchen.

The Benefits Of Composting Food Scraps

Composting helps fight climate change! As mentioned previously, food that ends up decomposing in landfills contributes to six percent of global green house gas emissions.

When you compost, your small contribution helps reduce these greenhouse gas emissions, and you’re supplying your lawn, garden and household plants with organic and rich nutrients.

What Can You Compost?

You can compost most fruit/vegetable scraps, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags and old bread. If you’re using an outdoor bin, you can throw in larger twigs, weeds, and grass clippings, etc.

You should never compost meat, fish, dairy products or oil of any kind, as these items will only attract maggots and rodents.

If indoor composting sounds appealing, then you should definitely give it a try! You’ll feel great about recycling organic matter and turning it into something purposeful.

Below are a few excellent kitchen countertop compost bins to get you started. They all come with tight seals and charcoal filters to trap odor, so no need to worry about attracting flies.

Concern about odor is a main reason that prevents people from pursuing this practice, but there’s really no need to worry about it.

These bins are easy to clean, and some are even dishwasher safe. It’s also up to you if you’d like to use a biodegradable liner. It’s really not required, but it’s easier to maintain a clean bin that way. Some of these bins come with liners included, and some must be purchased separately.

Another great feature about countertop compost bins is the size. They’re all primarily one gallon-sized containers, so they’ll fit just about anywhere without taking up much space.

They also all come in different styles—from retro to modern and contemporary. And, stainless steel to ceramic and more. So whatever look you’re into, there’s a compost bin out there that’ll match your kitchen decor.

1. Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter

Lomi is your easy way to make a positive environmental impact. With just the push of a button, you can turn your food waste into nutrient-rich dirt that can be put into your garden or house plants in just 24 hours!

Some people can’t handle having food scraps sit around in traditional compost bins for weeks on end, so if you’re looking to make your kitchen more sustainable with as little effort as possible, the Lomi kitchen composter is the simplest and most productive way to do it.

2. OXO Good Grips Compost Bin

The OXO Good Grips plastic countertop compost bin is budget friendly and easy to clean with a removable lid and easy grip handle. This bin features soft seal construction for oxygen flow to prevent odor build up and does not require a filter. With 3 neutral colors to choose from, the OXO Good Grips compost bins will fit in with any kitchen decor.

3. Vitamix 068051 Food Cycler

Slightly bigger than your conventional countertop compost bin, the Vitamix food cycler transforms your food scraps into fertilizer within a couple of hours. While it does require an electrical outlet and takes up slightly more space, many people prefer the convenience and efficiency of this “smart” composter to traditional kitchen compost bins—it even composts chicken bones!

4. Bamboozle Biodegradable Kitchen Compost Bin

The Bamboozle kitchen compost bin is made from sustainable bamboo fiber, making this unique countertop bin completely biodegradable. It’s also resistant to heat and moisture, making this eco-friendly kitchen compost bin dishwasher safe and anti-microbial.

5. BelleMark Countertop Compost Bin

The BelleMark kitchen compost bin is made from sustainable acacia wood and contains a removable rust-proof stainless steel insert for easy cleanup (and it’s dishwasher safe). This rustic countertop compost bin features a secure lid to prevent odor and does not require a filter.

6. Joseph Joseph 30016 Intelligent Waste Compost Bin

The Joseph Joseph 30016 intelligent waste compost bin contains a wide opening that makes food emptying a breeze. This kitchen compost bin contains a liner retaining interior and a filter compartment in the lid for ventilation.

7. Modern Barnhaus Kitchen Compost Bin

The Modern Barnhaus kitchen compost bin is made from stainless steel. It includes a year’s supply of charcoal filters and biodegradable liner bags, a user manual, and a helpful composting dos and don’ts magnet. This countertop compost bin is ideal for beginners.

8. iTouchless Stainless Steel Compost Bin

This countertop composty bin by iTouchless is made of brushed titanium steel. It has a more contemporary look for those who like their kitchen decor simple. It contains a filter within the lid and tight seal to prevent odor. It’s also fingerprint proof and easy to clean.

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Sustainable Lifestyle Tips For Beginners

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Going green. Such a simple concept, yet so difficult to master. And why so? The answer is that humanity has grown complacent in a fixed mindset that small changes on their behalf won’t repair a big problem caused by billions of other people. It’s a feeling of defeat.

But, believing that one person can’t spark a big movement toward positive change is the reason that our fragile environment has become a breeding ground for global-scale crises such as pollution, collapse in ecosystems, species endangerment and global warming.

And for our environment to heal and undergo rehabilitation, fundamental change needs to take place—and that starts with a shift in consciousness.

You don’t need to be a specific gender to live a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. Although, it does seem as if green living is depicted as more of a women’s niche. 

Online advertisements, television commercials, and even social media posts—all seem to target the female population as if that specific gender is the only one that cares about the environment. Well, men are interested in a sustainable lifestyle too.

What Is Sustainable Living?

Sustainable living simply means that you’re prioritizing natural and renewable resources over actions and single use items that create waste. 

Choosing recycled and ethically manufactured clothing over fast-fashion is one example of sustainable living. Growing an outdoor vegetable garden or an indoor herb garden is yet another example. Even being an eco-conscious traveler falls into the realm of sustainability.

To put it simply, a sustainable lifestyle involves being a good steward of the Earth, buying less, and choosing reusable and renewable products over disposables; and opting for nontoxic and biodegradable products that are healthy for both you and the environment. 

With that said, below are 5 tips for sustainable living that any beginner—male and female—can both ease into. 

1. Avoid Plastic And Invest In Reusable Products

Disposable plastic is everywhere. It’s in the form of a toothbrush that’s perched on your bathroom sink, the case of bottled water in your pantry, and in the form of a straw that’s given to you at your favorite drive-thru restaurant. 

With that said, one of the best ways that you can be more sustainable everyday is to swap and avoid disposable plastic products. Some easy beginner changes that you can make consist of:

• Swapping your plastic toothbrush for a compostable bamboo toothbrush.

• Swapping your plastic shampoo bottle for a shampoo bar.

• Investing in a reusable straw and travel cutlery.

• Investing in a reusable water bottle.

• Using reusable grocery and produce bags at the store.

2. Shop For Sustainable Shoes And Clothing

You’d be surprised how many people are ditching fast fashion and opting for sustainably and ethically made clothing brands.

Sustainable fashion consists of organic and recycled fabrics that are ethically and sustainably manufactured in facilities that treat factory workers in the most humane way possible and are void of child labor.

The benefit of buying sustainable clothing over fast fashion is that you’re buying quality fabric—an item that’s going to last. Sustainable clothing is also great for the planet—the manufacturing process uses less chemicals and less water. 

From organic and recycled t-shirts to sustainably made shoes, swim trunks, and wooden fashion accessories like sunglasses, watches, and bow ties, ethical fashion is the new trend that’s only going to become more popular in the coming years.

3. Ditch The Plastic Laundry Detergent

Traditional laundry detergent is packed full of synthetic chemicals that can irritate skin, are bad for the environment, and they’re packaged in bulky plastic containers. 

With that said, one of the best ways that you can be more sustainable in the laundry room is to ditch the traditional laundry detergent and switch to eco-friendly and non-toxic laundry strips or biodegradable pods.

There are several benefits to this swap: eco strips and eco pods are zero waste, they’re perfect for travel, college and small apartments, and they’re hypoallergenic and non-toxic because they’re made from plant-based ingredients.

4. Start Composting In Your Kitchen

One of the best ways to lower your carbon footprint in the kitchen is to start composting—which can be accomplished even in the smallest of kitchens.

Food scraps like vegetables, egg shells, hair and paper can all be placed into a countertop compost bin, transforming said items into nutrient rich compost that’s excellent to use on potted plants, herbs and vegetable gardens.

Kitchen compost bins are typically about the same size as croc pots (or coffee pots), and come with liners and charcoal filters that prevent odor and fruit fly infestation. It’s definitely a great way to be more sustainable and zero-waste in the kitchen.

5. Switch To Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

A great way to make your home more eco-friendly and non-toxic is to ditch traditional cleaning products and swap them for non-toxic, plant based brands with recyclable containers.

Traditional cleaning sprays contain harmful chemicals that linger in the air and can be toxic to both humans and pets. Plant based solutions, on the other hand, are gentle yet powerful, and you don’t need to worry about inhaling anything dangerous.

Another alternative to traditional cleaning products is to create your own cleaning solutions using everyday pantry ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils and certain fruits like lemons and oranges.

6. Lastly, Create A Shift In Your Mindset

A mindset is a filtered view of the world that’s delicately influenced through a set of experiences. Everyone you’ve encountered, everything you’ve been taught, and everything you’ve seen, has had a part in shaping your mindset.

And although you’ve been “locked” into your current mindset for quite some time, it is possible to modify it. Many people are resistant to change because they fear it, so instead of making of a change, simply look at it as making a modification in thinking.

Simply realizing that you are a part of something greater is the first step in shifting your mindset. Acknowledging that you are a steward of the earth will help you embrace the concept of sustainability and motivate you to make wiser decisions—paving the way to a more sustainable future for you, your family and the environment.

Additional Resources 

If you’re curious about your carbon footprint and would like to know how to manage your lifestyle better, there’s a cool carbon footprint calculator on The Cool Climate Network, which is a research consortium at the University of California, Berkeley. They research and develop cutting-edge carbon footprint management tools for households, small businesses, schools and communities in the U.S. and Internationally. The estimate is totally free!

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