Food Waste Action Week highlights the importance of reducing waste and transforming food scraps into something valuable—compost. Composting is a natural recycling process that turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments. This method reduces landfill waste, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and revitalizes soil health. If done correctly, composting food scraps can create a biologically rich, living compost full of beneficial microorganisms.

This guide provides a step-by-step recipe for making high-quality compost using a well-balanced mix of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials, ensuring optimal soil health and sustainability.

Ingredients for Living Compost

1. Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich) – 1 Part

These materials provide essential nitrogen for microbial activity and decomposition:

Fruit and vegetable scraps (avoid excessive citrus)
Coffee grounds and used tea leaves
Fresh grass clippings (mix with dry materials)
Cooked and raw food scraps (if using Bokashi pre-treatment)
Manure (aged poultry, cow, or horse manure for extra microbes)
Fresh garden weeds (before they go to seed)

2. Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich) – 2-3 Parts

Carbon provides energy for composting microbes and helps aerate the pile:

Shredded newspaper or cardboard (non-glossy, minimal ink)
Dry leaves, straw, or hay
Wood chips, sawdust (small amounts, preferably from hardwood)
Shredded egg cartons
Peanut shells or nut shells (crushed)

3. Microbial Boosters (Optional but Effective)

These enhance microbial diversity and accelerate decomposition:

Bokashi pre-treated food waste – Ferments scraps, reducing odors and boosting microbial activity.
Effective Microorganisms (EM®) Solution – Mix 250ml per 10L of water and spray on compost.
Comfrey leaves – A natural compost activator rich in nitrogen and minerals.
Seaweed or kelp meal – Adds trace minerals and enzymes.
Molasses – Boosts microbial activity.
Old compost or garden soil – Introduces beneficial microbes to new compost.

4. Moisture Control

Compost should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge—not too wet, not too dry.
Adjust moisture as needed:
- If too dry, add Bokashi juice, diluted Actiferm, or water.
- If too wet, mix in more dry leaves, straw, or shredded cardboard.

5. Aeration & Turning

Turn compost every 1-2 weeks to maintain oxygen flow and prevent anaerobic decomposition.
Use aeration tools (compost fork, aerating spikes) to improve airflow.
For hot composting, aim for internal temperatures between 50-65°C for efficient breakdown.

The Process: Building & Maturing Your Compost

1. Active Composting Phase (4-8 Weeks)

Layer materials: Start with brown materials, then green, alternating with microbial boosters (e.g., Bokashi, EM®, or old compost).
Maintain a 30:1 Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) ratio for efficient decomposition.
Monitor moisture and heat: Regularly check dampness and temperature.
Turn the pile: Helps mix materials, aerate, and speed up the composting process.
Move to maturation phase when decomposition slows down.

2. Extended Maturation (3-6+ Months)

Why let compost mature longer?

Stabilisation – Ensures compost is fully decomposed before use.
Pathogen Reduction – Breaks down harmful microbes completely.
Nutrient Enhancement – Increases microbial diversity, making nutrients more bioavailable to plants.
Better Soil Integration – Fully cured compost blends better into soil, preventing nitrogen lock-up.

Maturing in a Johnson-Su Bioreactor (Recommended)

A Johnson-Su Bioreactor produces fungi-dominant, biologically rich compost with minimal turning:

Build a vertical composting structure (similar to a wire bin) with aeration tubes in the center.
Fill with partially composted material, keeping it consistently moist.
Allow 6-12 months for full maturation—creating a microbial powerhouse that enhances soil biology.

Final Tips for Composting Success

✔ If compost smells bad (rotten, ammonia-like) – Add more brown materials and aerate.
✔ If compost is too slow – Chop food scraps smaller and turn the pile more frequently.
✔ For high-quality soil regeneration – Use fully matured compost for mulching, enriching soil, or making compost tea.

Transforming food waste into compost is a simple, eco-friendly way to support soil health and sustainability. This process not only reduces landfill waste but also nurtures plant life by creating a nutrient-rich, living compost. Whether using a Bokashi system, a traditional compost pile, or an advanced maturation method like the Johnson-Su Bioreactor, composting is a powerful step toward a greener planet.

🌱 This Food Waste Action Week, commit to composting and turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold! 🌱

Food Waste Action Week: Recipe for Making Great, Living Compost from Food Waste