Tips to set up a compost bin in an apartment

You may believe that living in a small space precludes you from doing your bit for the environment, but it is possible to have a compost bin in an apartment.

To keep your compost sweet smelling and unavailable to pests you need:

• A container with a lid, whatever size is best for you, made of metal or plastic.
• A drill or sharp implement.
• A small tray to slip under your container.
• Newspaper or paper that is not glossy, shredded into narrow strips.
• A small bag of potting soil.

You can place your compost bin under the sink or in a storage cupboard. If your apartment has a balcony, that would be the best place.

First, drill holes in the lid and the sides of the container. Next, place a couple of sheets of paper on the tray and put it into the cupboard where you're going to keep the bin. Put the bin on the tray.

Start filling the compost bin by pouring in some potting soil — about an eighth of the way up the sides. Now, add a layer of shredded paper.

Kitchen waste makes the compost, and you can add any of the following items to your bin:

• Green items, which are rich in nitrogen: coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, vegetable and fruit scraps, and leaves from your potted plants.
• Brown items, which have high levels of carbon: used kitchen paper towels, bread, nut shells, corncobs, egg shells, dead leaves and dryer lint.

Chop all waste into small pieces so that it degenerates quickly. Don't add meat, dairy products, oil, grease, charcoal ash, glossy paper or cat litter to your compost.

Every time you add kitchen scraps to the bin, throw in a small handful of shredded paper as this will keep the moisture balance correct and prevent bad odours. Once a week, give your compost a stir with a small trowel and add a little potting soil.

Now you've got lovely rich compost, what are you going to do with it? Put it on your own plants, whether they're gorgeous flowering annuals, perennial potted plants, or container-grown vegetables and herbs. If you find that you have compost to spare, offer it to friends and family — they'll be thrilled to be participating in your eco-friendly lifestyle.