Home Composting 101: How to Get Started Today

Discover how family gatherings sparked our mission for meaningful change.

1. Why Composting Matters

Discover how family gatherings sparked our mission for meaningful change.

By composting, you’re:

  • Reducing landfill waste.
  • Cutting down methane emissions.
  • Cutting down methane emissions.

2. What You’ll Need to Start Composting

A Compost Bin

You can buy one or DIY your own. Choose indoor bins for small spaces or outdoor bins for larger yards.

Browns(Carbon Sources)

Dry materials like leaves, shredded paper, or cardboard.

Greens (Nitrogen Sources)

Food scraps, grass clippings, and even our  home-compostable Dirtbag Goods straws!

water

Helps maintain the right moisture level for decomposition.

3. How to Build Your Compost Pile

Follow these simple steps to set up your compost pile:

Layer It

Start with a layer of browns (e.g., dry leaves), followed by greens (e.g., food  scraps). Aim for 2 parts browns to 1 part greens.

Keep It Moist

Add a little water as you go to keep the pile damp, like a wrung-out  sponge

Turn It

Every few weeks, mix the pile to add oxygen, which speeds up decomposition.

4. What You Can and Can’t Compost

Compost These:

  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Coffee grounds and tea bags.
  • Eggshells.
  • Yard waste (leaves, grass).
  • Dirtbag Goods’ home-compostable straws.

Avoid These:

  • Meat, dairy, and oily foods (attract pests).
  • Plastics, even if labeled “compostable” but not certified for home composting.
  • Pet waste.

5. Local Composting Resources in Baltimore

If home composting isn’t for you, there are several amazing composting programs and facilities in Baltimore that can help

Compost Cab Baltimore

  • Offers pick-up services for residents who want to compost  without the hassle.

Baltimore Compost Collective

  • A youth-led food scrap collection service that  transforms waste into rich compost.

Waste Neutral

  • Provides composting services for individuals, businesses, and events in  Baltimore.
Not in Baltimore? Check out Find A Composter to locate composting facilities or programs in  your city.

Too Smelly?

  • Add more browns to balance the moisture.

Too Dry?

  • Sprinkle in some water to rehydrate the pile.

Not Breaking Down?

  • Turn the pile more frequently to add oxygen.

7. Using Your Finished Compost

In about 2–6 months, your compost will turn into dark, crumbly soil that smells earthy and fresh.  Here’s how to use it:

  • Enrich your garden beds.
  • Fertilize houseplants.
  • Top off outdoor potted plants.

By composting, you’re completing a full-circle process—turning waste into something truly  valuable.

Composting at home is a simple, rewarding way to reduce waste, nourish the earth, and  contribute to a more sustainable future. And with products like Dirtbag Goods’  home-compostable straws, making eco-friendly choices is easier than ever. Start your  composting journey today—it’s good for you, your garden, and the planet.

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