How to Compost Kitchen Waste: A Beginner’s Guide

by Sarah Baker June 19, 2025

We all eat, and with eating comes... kitchen waste! Think about it – fruit peels, veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells. It adds up fast. But what if we told you that a lot of that kitchen waste doesn't have to go into the trash? What if you could turn it into something amazing for your garden? That’s where composting comes in, and it's much easier than you might think!

Why Reducing Kitchen Waste Matters

Let's be honest, we all generate a fair bit of kitchen waste. From dinner prep to forgotten leftovers, it piles up. But why should we care about reducing this kitchen waste? Well, for starters, when organic waste goes to landfills, it breaks down without oxygen and creates methane gas, which is a big contributor to climate change. Plus, it's a huge waste of resources and money. By taking simple steps to reduce our kitchen waste, we're not only helping the planet but also saving ourselves some cash and even creating something valuable for our gardens.

Plan Your Meals Ahead

One of the easiest ways to tackle kitchen waste before it even starts is to plan your meals. Before you hit the grocery store, take a few minutes to think about what you'll eat for the week. This helps you buy only what you need, reducing the chances of food going bad in your fridge. No more sad, wilted spinach ending up in the bin!

Shop Smart and Buy Only What You Need

Once you have your meal plan, stick to your shopping list! It's tempting to grab extra "just in case" items, but those often become forgotten kitchen waste. Focus on buying fresh produce in amounts you know you'll use. This also applies to bulk items – only get what you genuinely need.

Store Food Properly to Extend Freshness

Ever wonder why your greens wilt so fast? Proper storage is key to extending the life of your food and preventing kitchen waste. Store fruits and veggies in the right places – some like the fridge, others prefer the counter. Keep airtight containers handy for leftovers. A little effort here can save a lot of food from becoming kitchen waste.

Use Leftovers Creatively in New Meals

Don't let those delicious dinner leftovers become kitchen waste! Get creative. Yesterday's roasted chicken can become today's chicken salad sandwich. “Leftover” cooked rice can be turned into a quick stir-fry. Think of leftovers as ingredients for a whole new meal, not just something to reheat. This is a fantastic way to minimize kitchen waste.

Compost Your Kitchen Scraps

Now for the star of our show: composting your kitchen waste! This is where those fruit peels, veggie scraps, and coffee grounds get a second life. Composting is basically. nature's recycling program. You create a pile or bin where organic materials break down into a rich, dark soil-like material called compost.

What can you compost from your kitchen?

Fruit and vegetable scraps (peels, cores, wilted leaves)
Coffee grounds and filters
Tea bags (make sure they're not plastic!)
Eggshells (crushed)
Plain pasta or bread (in moderation)
Nutshells

What should you NOT compost from your kitchen?

Meat, bones, and dairy products (they attract pests and can smell)
Oils and greasy foods
Pet waste
Diseased plants

How to get started with composting kitchen waste:

Choose a spot: If you have a yard, a corner away from your house is ideal. You can also use special indoor compost bins.
Get a bin (optional but helpful): You can buy a compost bin or make your own with wire mesh or pallets. Some people just create a simple pile.
Start layering: Think "greens" (nitrogen-rich, like kitchen waste) and "browns" (carbon-rich, like dry leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper). A good mix helps the composting process.
Add your kitchen waste: Regularly add your fruit and veggie scraps.
Turn it: Every week or two, give your compost pile a good turn with a shovel or pitchfork. This adds air, which helps it break down faster.
Keep it moist: Your compost pile should be damp, like a wrung-out sponge. Add water if it's too dry.

In a few months, you'll have beautiful, nutrient-rich compost to use in your garden. It’s like magic – turning kitchen waste into gardener's gold!

Repurpose Food Scraps for Broths and Sauces

Beyond composting, many kitchen waste items can be repurposed before they even hit the compost bin. Veggie scraps like onion skins, carrot tops, and celery ends are perfect for making homemade vegetable broth. Simply collect them in a bag in your freezer until you have enough, then simmer them with water for a flavorful base for soups and sauces. This is a brilliant way to squeeze every last bit of value out of your kitchen waste.

Freeze Excess Food to Prevent Spoilage

If you've cooked too much or bought a little extra produce that you know you won't use right away, don't let it become kitchen waste! Freezing is your friend. Most fruits and vegetables can be blanched and frozen, and cooked meals freeze wonderfully. This is a simple yet effective way to prevent food spoilage and reduce your overall kitchen waste.

Avoid Single-Use Packaging and Bring Your Containers

While not directly kitchen waste, the packaging that comes with our food often becomes waste. When you shop, try to choose items with minimal packaging. Better yet, bring your own reusable bags for produce (those reusable bags for produce are super handy!) and use washable canvas bags or Earth-friendly tote bags for your groceries instead of plastic ones. This is a key zero-waste swap that helps reduce household waste significantly. And while you're at it, consider switching to an Eco-friendly cleaner for your kitchen too – it's another easy way to cut down on plastic!

Use Reusable Storage Solutions

Instead of plastic wrap and disposable baggies, invest in eco-friendly alternatives for food storage. Think glass containers with airtight lids, silicone bags, and beeswax wraps. These are durable, washable, and a great way to cut down on plastic kitchen waste. Speaking of washable, Swedish cloths are amazing for cleaning up spills and can be washed and reused many, many times, unlike paper towels.

Educate Your Household on Waste Reduction

Making a dent in kitchen waste is a team effort. Talk to everyone in your home about the importance of reducing waste. Share these tips, explain why composting is great, and encourage them to be mindful of what they throw away. When everyone is on board, reducing kitchen waste becomes much easier and more effective.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Reducing kitchen waste might seem like a small thing, but collectively, it makes a huge difference. By planning meals, shopping smart, storing food properly, getting creative with leftovers, and especially by composting your kitchen waste, you're taking powerful steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle. These small changes lead to a big impact – a healthier planet, less landfill waste, and even a richer garden. So, go ahead, embrace these easy tips, and start transforming your kitchen waste into something wonderful! It's all about making your home more eco-friendly and doing your part to reduce waste at home.