Getting rid of compost odours
If you are having some odour issues with your bin here are
THREE EASY STEPS to solve the problem:
1. Get the right ratio
This is always one of the first things that you should check in the
compost bin. You may have too much green debris that is
overpowering the other waste. Fill your bin with about 3-4 parts
‘brown’ material to 1 part ‘green’ material. A high proportion of
greens (kitchen waste/grass clippings) can be the cause of a
strong smell in the bin. Add more browns (wood prunings,
paper, or cardboard) to fix the problem (see over).
2. Let AIR in
The absence of air will cause the composting micro-organisms to stop working and
be replaced by another type that work without air. The by-product of this activity is
a smell similar to that of rotten egg. Make sure your compost
bin has holes in it so that air can get in and break down the
materials. If there aren't holes, take the top off. It’s important
to let air get to your compost pile.
Some compost bins can be turned so that the material is
automatically combined with every turn, but if yours doesn't
have this capability, just make sure to stir it. This also helps to
reintroduce air to the compost.
3. Don’t add the NO NOs!
Do not add meats, oils, fats, or any droppings from
carnivores. You can add droppings from vegetarian animals
like horses, cows and goats. Meat and oils contain fats that
don't break down as quickly and attract unwanted pests and
insects to the compost pile.
Getting the ‘greens’ and ‘browns’ ratio right
Generally a ratio of three to four parts browns to one part greens is
the best way to keep your compost cooking nicely, but you don't need
to be exact about it. Decomposition happens – it’s a natural process,
but the right ratio can reduce odours from your compost bin.
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Greens are materials that are rich in
nitrogen or protein. They are also the
items that tend to heat a compost pile up
because they help the micro-organisms in
the pile to grow and multiply quickly.
They include:
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Grass clippings
Coffee grounds/tea bags
Vegetable and fruit scraps
Plain pasta and rice
Plant and tree trimmings
Weeds that haven't set seed
Human hair
Eggshells
Animal manures (cow, horse, sheep,
Browns are carbon or carbohydraterich materials. The main job of browns
in a compost pile is to be food sources
for all of the lovely soil-dwelling
organisms that will work with the
microbes to break down the contents of
your compost pile. They include:
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Dried leaves
Pine needles
Twigs, chipped tree branches/
bark
Straw or hay
Sawdust
Corn stalks
Paper (newspaper, writing/printing
paper, paper plates and napkins,
coffee filters)
chicken, rabbit, etc. No dog or cat
manure.)
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Seaweed
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Dryer lint
Cotton fabric (cut up)
Corrugated cardboard (without
any waxy/slick paper coatings)