You’ve taken the leap. The kitchen waste is being lovingly collected, the compost bin is sitting pretty in its corner, and visions of rich, crumbly black gold dance in your head.
Fast forward a few weeks: the bin reeks, fruit flies have declared sovereignty over your balcony, and instead of fertile compost, you’re faced with a slimy, stinking mess.
And there it is — the dreaded question: “What went wrong?”
Here’s the thing — composting, when done right, is one of the most rewarding, planet-friendly habits you can adopt. It shrinks landfill waste, reduces methane emissions, and hands you natural fertiliser that your plants will absolutely love. But it’s also surprisingly easy to slip into mistakes, especially in Indian homes, where tropical heat, spicy leftovers, and a riot of food textures add a layer of challenge.
Let’s clear the (rather smelly) air with this guide to composting smartly, busting myths, avoiding common mistakes, and keeping your compost pile happy.
What you should not compost
Here’s a basic rule: not everything biodegradable belongs in your compost bin. Especially in our warm, bustling Indian kitchens, a wrong move can invite rats, maggots, and a compost bin that smells like a horror movie.
Here’s your no-go list:
- Cooked food and oily leftovers: These are a party invitation for pests and maggots.
- Meat, fish, and dairy: Decompose very slowly, and badly. Think smells you don’t want.
- Glossy paper and printed receipts: Hidden coatings and toxic inks make these unwelcome guests.
- Coconut shells and large woody branches: These take forever to break down unless heavily shredded.
- Pet waste: Especially from cats and dogs — it’s loaded with pathogens unsafe for home composts.
- Citrus peels, onion skins, and garlic (in large amounts): Microbes don’t like a heavy dose of acids and sulphur.
- Tea bags: Many Indian brands use plastic meshes. Always check before tossing them in.
Desi hack to remember:
If your grandmother wouldn’t feed it to a cow, don’t feed it to your compost pile.
Busting the big myths about composting
Let’s tackle some tall tales that hold people back:
- “You need a garden to compost.”
Nope. Balcony composters, terrace bins, Bokashi buckets — urban India is thriving with compost setups in the smallest of spaces. - “Compost stinks.”
Only if it’s unhappy. Healthy compost smells like fresh, damp earth after a rain shower. - “Dry leaves are useless.”
Wrong again. Dry leaves, shredded cardboard, and sawdust are your compost’s carbon-rich best friends. - “Biodegradable plastics can go into compost.”
Home composting isn’t built to break down those ‘compostable’ plastics. They need industrial composting to decompose fully.
Common mistakes Indian households make
Intentions? Good. Execution? Needs a little tuning. Here’s where many composting journeys derail:
- Imbalance between greens and browns: Too much wet kitchen waste, not enough dry material like leaves or cardboard — leading straight to smell city.
- Dumping plate scrapings directly: Those leftover oils, salt, and heavy masalas aren’t exactly compost-friendly.
- Forgetting to aerate: Your compost needs to breathe too. Stirring weekly prevents anaerobic rot.
- Tossing in ‘eco-friendly’ packages without checking: Many still hide plastic layers beneath those earthy labels.
Quick fixes for smooth composting
Fear not — your compost dreams are still alive. Here’s how to course-correct:
- Set up a simple two-bin system: one for dry waste, one for compostables.
- Always have a stash of dry leaves, shredded paper, or sawdust handy.
- Turn your compost pile at least once a week to keep it oxygenated.
- Cover every fresh food layer with dry material — your nose and your neighbours will thank you.
Before chemical fertilisers became the norm, composting wasn’t a fancy eco-trend. It was simply how Indian households managed waste — wisely, naturally, and in tune with the seasons.
Today, as we navigate dense cities and climate challenges, we’re not inventing something new — we’re reclaiming an old, trusted practice, blending ancient wisdom with modern lifestyles. Composting isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s a quiet revolution in how we relate to the earth beneath our feet.
And it all starts with knowing what not to compost.