As food waste continues to dominate climate discussions, composting is gaining fresh attention in 2025. With spring underway, individuals turn to compost as a practical way to reduce landfill impact. Countertop bins, tech-enabled systems and community drop-off sites make composting more accessible than ever.
Composting once felt like something for rural settings or backyard gardens with plenty of space. But that’s no longer the case. Even in tight quarters, options exist that fit a range of lifestyles.
Composting basics
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic material, such as food scraps and yard waste, into nutrient-rich soil. Microorganisms, oxygen and moisture work together to transform waste into what’s often called black gold for gardens. It mimics nature’s way of recycling and keeps valuable nutrients from being lost in the landfill.
Composting can be as simple as collecting kitchen scraps in a sealed container and dropping them off at a local site once a week. It can also mean taking on a more active role by building and turning a backyard compost pile, layering greens and browns, and monitoring moisture and airflow. For apartment dwellers, indoor worm bins or compact electric composters offer manageable ways to get involved without outdoor space.
Why composting matters in 2025
The world throws out more than 2.5 billion tons of food each year, and the United States ranks highest in total waste generated. Numbers released by the Recycle Track Systems reveal that the United States discards nearly 60 million tons — about 120 billion pounds — of food each year. That averages to roughly 325 pounds of food waste per person each year, the equivalent of every American throwing away nearly 1,000 apples.
Food waste isn’t just a numbers issue, but a major climate concern. Few people realize how deeply food waste contributes to environmental harm. The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that food waste contributes approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Pollution builds at every step — from the use of synthetic fertilizers to the refrigeration, transportation and processing of food. Once tossed into landfills, decomposing food emits methane, a climate super pollutant more than 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in the short term.
Growing awareness of food waste’s environmental impact is beginning to influence local action. Cities are expanding composting options, making it easier than ever for residents to get involved this spring. From curbside pickup programs to community drop-off sites at markets and gardens, these local efforts reduce barriers to getting started.
How to start composting at home
Getting into composting might sound complicated at first, but the good news is there’s more than one way to do it. Here are a few ways to get started, no backyard required:
Choose your collection method
Getting started at home is easier than it sounds. The simplest way is to use a sealed container — anything from a lidded bucket to a purpose-built compost bin — to collect daily scraps. Many people tuck it under the sink or leave it on the counter for easy access.
Fruit and vegetable peels, unused salad, coffee grounds, tea bags and eggshells all make great additions. Skip anything too oily or animal-based like dairy and meat, which tend to smell and don’t break down well.
Explore local options or tech tools
Not everyone has a backyard, and that’s okay. Many cities now have compost drop-off bins at local farmers markets, community gardens or food co-ops. If leaving the house with a bin of scraps isn’t your thing, countertop electric composters might be. These odor-controlled devices speed up the breakdown process and are great for small households.
And for those who prefer to outsource the whole thing, compost subscription services will pick up scraps right from your doorstep. Companies like CompostNow and Reclaimed Organics offer weekly or biweekly collections in many urban areas, often providing clean buckets in exchange for full ones.
Know what to compost and what to skip
A good compost starts with knowing what belongs in it. Most plant-based kitchen waste is compostable, like apple cores, vegetable peels, stale bread and used coffee filters.
But not everything biodegradable belongs in the bin. Avoid tossing in meat, fish, dairy or anything greasy, which can cause odor issues and attract pests. When in doubt, it’s better to leave it out.
Build a composting routine
Like brushing your teeth or taking out the trash, composting works best when it becomes a habit. Make a plan for when to empty your kitchen bin and pair it with something else in your routine, like walking the dog or grocery shopping. Over time, the steps blend into the background and feel like second nature.
Stay ahead of odor and pests
A few tricks can make composting cleaner and more comfortable, especially indoors. Use a sealed bin with a charcoal filter to trap smells before they start. Keep the balance of wet and dry materials in check.
If it starts to smell, adding shredded paper or cardboard can help. Some people even freeze scraps before drop-off to avoid any mess. A little attention goes a long way toward keeping composting simple and sustainable.
Turning scraps into something better
For anyone just starting out, composting can feel like a small act, but it cuts waste, reduces emissions and returns nutrients to the earth — all from the corner of a kitchen or a city sidewalk. Each peel, shell and grounds-filled filter becomes part of a bigger picture. It’s proof that even small shifts in the kitchen can ripple outward, benefiting the planet in small, measurable ways.
Mandy writes about food, home and the kind of everyday life that feels anything but ordinary. She’s travelled extensively, and those experiences shaped everything she shares — from comforting meals to little lifestyle upgrades that make a big difference. You’ll find all her favorite recipes over at Hungry Cooks Kitchen.