Introduction

Composting is a natural method of transforming our food and plant waste into a rich and fertile fertilizer. In an urban setting, where space is often limited, it is easy to think that composting is not accessible to everyone. However, with a bit of creativity and organization, you can indeed create a small functional composter on a balcony. This practice is particularly interesting for people who have adopted a vegetarian lifestyle or who consume a lot of fruits and vegetables. Indeed, it regularly generates peelings or plant waste that can be valued instead of simply throwing them in the household trash.

In this article, we will see why balcony composting is a real asset, how to set it up, what materials you will need, and all the steps to obtain quality compost. We will also cover some tips to avoid bad odors and best respect the constraints of an urban environment. Finally, you will discover how to reuse this compost to nourish your potted plants or even share this brown gold around you.

Why Compost on Your Balcony?

Reduce Your Waste

For city dwellers, household waste is mainly composed of packaging and food scraps. In France, it is estimated that a large part of our trash is made up of organic waste that could be valued. Adopting a balcony composter can significantly reduce the total volume of waste, while avoiding the landfill or incineration of these organic materials.

Produce a Natural and Free Fertilizer

Composting has the advantage of producing, from our own waste, a high-quality organic amendment. Compost provides essential organic matter to nourish potted plants and promote their growth. It also improves soil structure. Thus, there is no need to buy chemical fertilizers or expensive potting soil: you produce a fertilizer perfectly suited to the needs of your plants.

Promote Biodiversity Even in the City

Compost is a living ecosystem, populated by microorganisms, worms, and insects, which gradually transform plant matter into humus. By bringing this fauna and flora to your balcony, you contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in the heart of cities. Some useful insects, like earthworms or certain beetles, can help maintain the balance of your compost and even participate in the pollination of your plants.

Make a Gesture for the Planet

Reducing waste and producing a natural fertilizer also means reducing your carbon footprint. Organic waste that ends up in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than CO2. Composting thus limits methane production and contributes to the fight against climate change. It’s a small gesture, but it counts, especially when multiplied by millions of people around the world.

Which Bin to Choose for a Balcony Compost?

Different Types of Composters

There are several types of composters you can install on your balcony:

1. Wooden or Plastic Composter
   This structure is generally quite compact, which can suit small spaces. Ready-to-use models are available in stores, in different sizes and styles. Plastic models are often cheaper, but wooden composters are more aesthetic and allow better aeration.
2. Worm Composter
   Also called vermicomposter, it is a system equipped with worms (usually Californian worms) that decompose organic matter very efficiently. It is appreciated for its small size and fast composting. Moreover, it produces a nutrient-rich liquid (the “compost tea”) usable as a liquid fertilizer.
3. Bokashi
   An Asian composting method based on fermentation, the bokashi system is very practical in an apartment or on a balcony, as it takes up little space and closes hermetically. Its operation relies on the addition of a bran enriched with specific microorganisms, which limit odors and accelerate the transformation of waste.

Selection Criteria

To choose the most suitable composter, you need to consider:

• The size of your balcony
  The more limited your space, the more you will need a compact system. The worm composter or bokashi are preferable if you have very little space.
• The volume of waste produced
  If you are a single person or a couple, you will probably have less biowaste than a large family. Therefore, adapt the capacity of the composter to the amount of biowaste you generate.
• Sensitivity to odors
  If you fear odors or have close neighbors, a well-maintained bokashi or worm composter may be more appropriate. They are relatively airtight and less likely to emit odors.
• Budget
  The cheapest composters on the market can sometimes be found for around thirty euros. Other more advanced models can cost a few hundred euros. You can also make your own composter at a reduced cost, provided you are a bit handy.

How to Build a DIY Balcony Composter?

Necessary Materials

If you want to save money or customize your composter, you can make it yourself with a few basic materials. Here is what you will need for a simple wooden composter:

• A wooden box or reclaimed boards (such as pallets)
• A lid adaptable to the box (important to protect from rain and prevent the invasion of unwanted insects)
• A drill with a suitable bit for drilling aeration holes
• A cloth or tarp to cover or insulate the interior, if necessary
• Hinges (optional) to attach the lid if you want a practical opening system.

Construction Steps

1. Prepare the box
   Choose a wooden box deep enough to accommodate your future waste. Clean it thoroughly and remove any residue.
2. Drill aeration holes
   Using a drill, make several holes on the sides and bottom of the box. Aeration is crucial in a composter, as decomposition occurs thanks to oxygen. Holes that are too large can let insects in, so opt for a diameter of a few millimeters.
3. Install the tarp or cloth
   Line the inside of the box with a tarp to prevent it from rotting too quickly or the compost from escaping through the slits. Make sure not to block the aeration holes.
4. Attach the lid
   If you have a wooden lid, you can attach it with hinges or simply use it as a removable plate that you place on the box.
5. Place the composter on a stable surface
   Make sure it is slightly elevated or has a collection tray underneath to collect compost juice if there is any. This also facilitates cleaning around the composter.

With this homemade construction, you have a composter suitable for a balcony, inexpensive and relatively discreet. However, be sure to manage humidity and aeration well.

Compostable Materials and Those to Avoid

What to Put in Your Compost?

In a balcony compost, you can put a wide variety of organic waste, including:

• Fruit and vegetable peelings
  Perfect for a vegetarian, as you will surely have plenty.
• Fruit and vegetable scraps (stems, cores, leaves)
• Crushed eggshells
  Even in a vegetarian diet, some still consume eggs. These shells are an excellent source of calcium for the compost.
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
  However, be sure to check if your tea bags are made of biodegradable material.
• Unprinted and untreated cardboard (such as egg cartons, empty toilet paper rolls)
• Wilted leaves and flowers from your indoor or balcony plants.

Materials to Avoid

• Meat or fish scraps
  They can attract pests and generate strong odors.
• Oils and fats
  They degrade poorly and slow down the composting process.
• Diseased plants or those infested with pests
  To avoid the spread of diseases, it is better to throw them in a waste disposal site.
• Large pieces of wood
  They take a long time to decompose.
• Synthetic and plastic waste
  Plastics, even biodegradable ones, do not always decompose correctly in a domestic compost.

Steps for Good Composting

1. Preparing the Base

Before depositing your first waste, it is advisable to create a base layer composed of “dry” or “brown” materials: small pieces of cardboard, dead leaves, wood chips. This initial layer will promote air circulation and prevent moisture accumulation at the bottom of your composter.

2. Alternating Layers

The secret to successful compost is to alternate “green” and “brown” materials. In practice, this means that each time you add your peelings or other kitchen waste (green materials rich in nitrogen), you should cover them with a thin layer of dead leaves, cardboard, or unprinted newspaper (brown materials rich in carbon). This balance allows for faster composting and limits odors.

3. Monitoring Humidity

A good compost should be moist but not soggy. If you notice bad odors, it may be because your compost is too wet. You can then add some brown material and mix well. Conversely, if the compost seems too dry, lightly water it and stir to distribute the moisture.

4. Regular Aeration

Mixing the compost is essential for a good oxygen supply. On a balcony, you can use a small fork or stick to gently mix the layers. Try to do this every two to three weeks. It speeds up decomposition and prevents bad odors.

5. Patience and Control

Depending on the type of composter and weather conditions, compost maturation can take three to eight months. You will know it is ready when the material is dark, crumbly, and smells like forest soil.

Tips to Avoid Bad Odors and Pests

Even if you have a small composter on your balcony, you can take precautions to ensure it does not become a nuisance for you or your neighbors.

1. Always cover fresh waste
   After each addition, cover with a small layer of cardboard or dead leaves.
2. Control humidity
   A too-wet compost means odors. If necessary, add cardboard or wood chips.
3. Limit unwanted insects
   Flies, for example, are attracted to exposed organic matter. A lid is a good way to keep them away.
4. Regularly clean the surroundings
   Pick up any waste that may have fallen to the ground.
5. Use a compost activator (optional)
   These are powder or granule formulations that contain microorganisms helping decomposition. This can speed up the process and limit odors.

Vermicomposting: An Even More Urban Alternative

If you fear odors or have a very small balcony, vermicomposting can be an excellent solution. It uses worms specialized in decomposing organic matter, such as Californian worms. Here are some important points:

• Worms quickly consume waste, which limits the appearance of mold or odors.
• The worm composter is generally more compact than a traditional composter.
• You collect solid vermicompost and a liquid compost tea, both very rich in nutrients.
• However, you must carefully monitor the temperature (ideally between 15°C and 25°C) and humidity. Worms are sensitive to extreme heat and cold.

Using Your Compost in an Apartment or on a Balcony

Once your compost is ready, you can benefit your potted plants and balcony crops. This is especially appreciated if you grow some vegetables or aromatic plants. Here are several ways to use it:

• Amend pots before planting
  Mix a handful of mature compost with your potting soil when repotting a plant.
• On the surface
  Spread a layer of compost at the base of your plants, like mulch. This will gradually nourish the plant while retaining moisture.
• In compost tea
  If you practice vermicomposting or let a handful of mature compost soak in water for several days, you get a rich “tea” that can be used for watering to nourish your plants.

If you produce more compost than you use, consider giving it to friends, a community garden, or even local associations managing urban gardens. This way, you benefit other gardeners while avoiding waste.

Compost and Vegetarian Diet

Adopting a vegetarian or mainly plant-based diet is often linked to a desire to consume better and respect the environment. Composting fits perfectly into this approach:

• Less food waste: by composting leftovers and peelings, you value waste that would otherwise end up in the trash.
• Virtuous cycle: your plants are nourished by waste from preparing fruits and vegetables, which in turn will produce new plants.
• Awareness: by seeing the transformation of your food scraps, you become aware of the value of each product you buy. You are thus more inclined to avoid waste and consume responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Balcony Composting

1. Will compost on my balcony attract rats and other pests?
In the city, it is understandable to ask this question. Rats are mainly attracted to meat scraps and strong rotting odors. If you follow the guidelines (no meat, no fish, good aeration, lid), the risks are very low.

2. Can you compost in winter?
Yes, but decomposition will be slower. It is advisable to protect your composter from frost or place it in a less exposed area. For the worm composter, ensure the temperature remains within a bearable range for the worms.

3. Are odors inevitable?
A well-managed compost emits almost no odor. The few possible smells are more reminiscent of forest humus. If you smell a strong rotting odor, it is often a problem of humidity or an excess of uncovered green materials.

4. When and how to collect finished compost?
You can collect the lower or central layer once it has transformed into a dark, crumbly material that smells like forest soil. To extract mature compost, you may need to transfer the top layer of freshly added waste to access the most decomposed part.

5. Can you put citrus peels or onions?
In moderate quantities, there is no problem. Citrus fruits contain acids and can slow the process if added in large quantities. Onions, on the other hand, can emit strong odors. In a well-aerated and balanced compost, this should not pose a major problem.

Conclusion

Balcony composting is entirely feasible, even if you only have a few square meters in the city center. It is an environmentally friendly approach that reduces the amount of waste produced and allows you to create your own natural fertilizer. Whether you decide to buy a compact composter, adopt a worm composter, or build your own wooden bin, the key is to follow a few simple principles: alternate green and brown materials, mix regularly, and control humidity.

As a vegetarian food consumer, you already have an advantage: you probably produce a lot of fruit and vegetable peelings, ideal for feeding your compost. With your balcony compost, you will nourish your potted plants while having the satisfaction of participating in a virtuous cycle, without waste and in respect of the planet. It is also a way to raise awareness among your surroundings, neighbors, and friends, by showing them that it is possible to have a more ecological lifestyle, even in the city.

In conclusion, urban composting is a simple gesture, accessible to all, and has a considerable impact on our consumption habits and the environment. Embark on the balcony composting adventure and enjoy the benefits of natural fertilizer, a blooming and productive balcony, and a strengthened ecological conscience. Your plants, your community, and the planet will thank you.