How to start composting quickly

Starting compost from scratch can be a slow process, but there are things you can do to speed it up. The answer is clear once you understand what goes on during composting.

A heap of organic waste goes through different composting stages as it breaks down in a compost bin. Composting is a relay of different compost microbes, each stage powered by a specific group of natural micro-organisms.

Kick-start your composting

You shouldn’t expect composting to begin quickly after placing wastes in a heap. A lack of the right types of compost microbes will slow the startup, but over time various natural micro-organisms will build up in numbers to get the microbial relay going.

Adding a handful of fresh compost or rich garden soil gives a head start on building up a population of compost microbes. If you’re unable to source them from family, friends, or a neighbour, you can use some soil from a nature strip. Another option is to buy compost starters from a commercial supplier.

Not all compost systems work the same way

Large open-ended compost bins and tumblers are examples of traditional systems that are filled with garden waste for recycling into compost. Adding kick-start microbes gets composting going around where they were placed, and subsequent mixing of the wastes will spread these helpful microbes to more areas. The same procedure is repeated with your next batch of waste.

Bioverter is an innovative compost bin that requires only one startup period to set up the microbial relay. After that, it uniquely self-empties as waste matter shrink during composting, creating room for you to add more wastes to a fully operational microbial relay. This is ideal for composting everyday kitchen scraps, as each waste addition is off to a flying start.