Compost Chemistry - Stop Odors, Overflow and Waste 🤩🌱
🎶
“It’s time to get intentional”
🎶
From the song, “It’s Time To Get Intentional” by Suzan Alakas
Have you ever opened your trash can and gotten hit with the smell of slimy banana peels, onion skins, wilted salad…? 🍌
Or maybe you are trying to compost, but your compost has turned into a funky, soggy science experiment?
This post will walk you through why it smells and how to compost successfully indoors or outdoors without the mess, odor or unwanted critters. Let’s go!! 😎
• Originally written: 25 May 2025
• Last updated: 25 May 2025
• Written by: Suzan Alakas
Suzan is Growtharmony’s Founder and Editor-In-Chief. She is passionate about spreading positive, solution-oriented media via songs and other formats - all in an effort to make the world a better place! When Suzan’s not writing, finding leverage points or learning something new, you can find her in the garden, playing in the snow with her family, or in the kitchen cooking up a nourishing meal!
Nutrient-Rich Soil From Waste! ✨
Welcome to the beautiful science of composting - where chemistry meets sustainability!✨
Whether you have a lush garden or a small apartment kitchen, composting is a powerful way to reduce waste, nourish the planet, and align your daily habits with your values.
Did you know that you can make healthy soil from banana peels, cardboard, grass clippings, and last week’s leftovers - without the smelliness or sliminess? 😲
If you’ve never tried composting, or have tried it but haven’t been happy with the results, there’s a reason for it - and it’s totally fixable with a little chemistry magic!
The Super Basic Chemistry of Compost 😊
Composting is a chemical process where microbes break down organic material into humus, the dark, rich soil that supports plant life.
These microbes need BOTH energy (Carbon) and protein (Nitrogen) in a balanced amount.
Carbon-rich “browns” (dry leaves, shredded paper, cardboard) = energy for microbes
Nitrogen-rich “greens” (food scraps, grass clippings) = protein for growth
This keeps your pile balanced, reduces smell, and creates beautiful, nutrient-dense compost!
Why Does My Compost Smell Bad?
If your compost is slimy or smelly - you’re not alone!
Usually this happens because:
Too much nitrogen (greens) and not enough carbon (browns) creates a soggy, smelly mess.
Anaerobic bacteria take over when airflow is low, leading to slimy textures and unpleasant odors.
3 ways to fix your compost:
Add more “browns”, like:
• Shredded paper or newspaper
• Toilet paper or paper towel rolls
• Plain cardboard from shipping boxes
• Paper egg cartons
Just make sure your paper materials aren’t glossy, colored, or plastic-coated (like many junk mail flyers or cereal boxes)!Stir the compost to increase airflow
Break up large chunks of food (or cut scraps smaller to begin with!)
Outdoor Food Composting? Watch for Critters!
If you’re composting food outdoors, it’s important to stay proactive with pests like mice, rats, raccoons, or even neighborhood cats! 🙃🙂
Ideally, you’ll want to use a closed-lid bin or one with mesh at the base.
And if you don’t have a protected outdoor composting bin, avoid composting meat, dairy or oil (which attract pests faster), bury fresh food scraps in the center of your pile and cover food with a thick layer of browns.
While some people recommend keeping your bin in a remote corner of your yard so potential critters don’t come close to the yard, others suggest that keeping it in a high traffic area will scare off vermin - so experiment and see what works best for you! 👍
Thank You for Helping the Planet! ✨✨✨
When you compost, you’re doing more than just reducing what goes to the landfill.
You’re:
✅ Feeding the soil and offsetting depletion
✅ Lowering your carbon footprint
✅ Creating a closed-loop system right in your home
✅ Strengthening your connection to nature’s rhythms
And remember, you don’t have to be a homesteader on an acre of land to contribute.
Even if you live in an apartment, you can probably find a gardening enthusiast near by who would be happy to accept your compost waste! 🤩🤗
So just start where you are - with one banana peel, one paper roll, one pile of shredded paper!
You ARE making a difference! 💛
Here are ways to leverage nature’s power to reduce stress and increase productivity!
✨ Take our 30 minute ‘Nourishing Meals at HALF the Cost” training to save BIG on your grocery bills and food preparation costs!
✨ Subscribe to the Growtharmony YouTube Channel for more uplifting, actionable tips and videos!