couldn't find one that fit my requirements, and then I stumbled upon Naturemill! GOSH! it seems EXACTLY suited for apartment composting!!!!
- decently sized
- looks sooooo slick
- compost in 2 weeks!!! instead of months!!!
BUT it works on electricity though - it uses it to speed up the process by heating up the food wastes to the optimal temperature for composting and also it aerates it by churning the insides (this helps introduce oxygen and reduce the bad smell).
take a look at these pretties!!! if you see what's currently available for apartment compost bins (which ain't many), these are real stunners! yes yes, i'm a geek. I actually lust over a compost bin!!!
Traditional Way
- during the compost class, we were told to layer greens and browns - to allow aeration and also probably to ensure the water is better mixed and not all gooey cos' water cuts oxygen and in the absence of the vital oxygen, it turns into an anaerobic mess...which means stink bomb!
- also, it was recommended to avoid adding meat to the bin. technically you could - but it was recommended NOT to add it in - to prevent rodents and insects.
- and if you could, it was good if you could turn the compost every 2 wks or monthly...just to have everything mixed well, aerated (so it doesn't stink) and to speed up the composting process.
- a bit of skill required for composting as you need to balance your 'greens' and 'browns', know when the aerate to ensure sufficient oxygen so your bin doesn't stink.
- 2 to 3 bins. cos' compost takes a while to breakdown, so you probably need more than a bin.
- patience. about 3-6 months generally for a home compost...cos' you need your pile to 'heat' up and for the bacteria and stuff to break it down.
Naturemill
- you don't need to layer greens and browns. you simply just throw your scraps anytime! the machine will churn and do its thing. BUT you do need to add sawdust and baking soda to balance the compost and help the process along. also to reduce the smell. there is btw, a charcoal filter in Naturemill's machine!
- you CAN add meat (cos' it is securely covered and the heat in the bin ensures the bacteria level is safe or something along those lines. so.....) BUT they recommend avoiding citrus, brocooli and certain food to avoid a stink bomb in your home.
- you don't have to add any newspapers (I wasn't particularly keen on newspaper cos' of the ink..which may be lead based). you have to add sawdust or pellets. if you have a carpenter friend, you can ask for sawdust waste...or you could use hamster bedding... or cat litter pellets (pee wee i think shd work fine!)
- FAST! 2 wks and you get compost! instead of ~3 MONTHS via the traditional way. so you don't need more than 1 compost bin!
- Fuss free - throw in your scraps anytime.
- Runs on electricity so you have to keep it indoors. it works outdoors too if you have an electrical outlet! and fingers crossed no one steals your bin from you! it's a possibility!
Isn't it amazing! but alas, the cost is high for me. It's actually decently priced, but after conversion to SGD and the shipping costs, it is something that i have to mull about and lust after in my dreams for the moment. One day i will get it!
after I saw the Naturemill bin, I personally reckon you don't really need to go for a lesson on composting! (i could have saved that SGD 80 and contributed to the bin hor...but ok lah. take it as an excursion with the hb) you can if you are geeky and wanna learn more, connect with fellow greenies. if your main purpose is to reduce waste / compost for your garden or herbs and not so much interaction (aka anti social...which i am) - then I reckon you can just go ahead and get this beauty!
the traditional method works great if you have your own land and enough space and HUGE loads to compost. In Singapore, that's rare. I live in a apartment with the husband and don't have THAT much food waste to compost, and have limited space. smell is also an issue cos' of the enclosed area, and stink bomb will really suck!
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