Let’s be honest, composting can sound a little intimidating at first. Piles of food scraps? Worms? Smells? It’s enough to make anyone second-guess jumping in.

But here’s the good news: composting at home doesn’t have to be messy, smelly, or complicated. In fact, once you get started, it’s one of the easiest (and most satisfying) ways to make a real difference in your community.

Step 1: Start Simple

You don’t need a fancy setup or a backyard to compost.If you’re in an apartment, a small countertop bin works just fine. If you’ve got outdoor space, a lidded bin or small compost tumbler is great too.

All you need to start are two types of ingredients:

• “Greens” (things like fruit peels, veggie scraps, and coffee grounds)
• “Browns” (like dried leaves, shredded paper, or cardboard)

A good compost mix is like a Southern recipe — a little of this, a little of that, and some patience.

Step 2: Keep It Clean & Balanced

To keep your compost fresh and odor-free:

• Mix greens and browns regularly
• Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods
• Keep your bin slightly damp but not soggy
• Give it a good stir every week or two

That balance of greens and browns is what helps everything break down naturally. Within a few weeks to a few months, you’ll have rich, dark compost; basically, nature’s fertilizer.

Step 3: Use or Share Your Compost

When it’s ready, you can mix your compost into garden soil, sprinkle it on houseplants, or donate it to a local community garden.

Don’t have a garden? No problem. Bring your finished compost to one of Posted’s partner libraries or collection sites. We’ll make sure it goes right back into the community where it can do the most good.

Step 4: Stay Posted

Composting is one of those small habits that adds up fast. One family composting for a year can divert hundreds of pounds of food waste from landfills. Multiply that across Atlanta, and suddenly we’re talking tons of impact.

At Posted, we’re all about helping people take those small steps! One bin, one drop-off, one neighborhood at a time.

Ready to Get Started?

Here’s what you can do today:

1. Grab a compost bin (even a coffee can with a lid works!)
2. Collect your scraps — fruits, veggies, eggshells, coffee grounds
3. Drop them off at a participating library or partner site this spring
4. Share your journey — tag us on social and help inspire your neighbors

The truth is, composting isn’t just about what we throw away — it’s about what we choose to give back.

And when a community as proud and creative as ours comes together to do that? Well, we can grow something beautiful.

Posted — From Updates to Impact.