How to Make Compost at Home in an Apartment: No Smell, No Bugs

You don’t need a backyard to turn food scraps into black gold. The right way to make compost at home in an apartment is odor-free, pest-free, and fits under your sink. As an urban horticulturist who’s composted in a 30m² Paris studio for over a decade, I’ve tested every method—and these proven systems work without smell, flies, or mess. In fact, over 90% of users report zero odor and no pests when they follow these steps.

• Why Compost in an Apartment?
• Best Composting Methods for Apartments
• Step-by-Step: Bokashi Composting (No Smell Guaranteed)
• Worm Composting: Quiet & Efficient
• What to Compost (and What to Avoid)
• Troubleshooting: Fix Odors & Pests Fast
• FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Why Compost in an Apartment?

Food waste makes up 30% of household trash (EPA). Composting at home reduces landfill methane—a greenhouse gas 25x more potent than CO₂.

But beyond the planet, it’s personal:

• Free fertilizer: Turn scraps into nutrient-rich soil for your herbs and greens.
• Closer to your food: Complete the cycle from kitchen to garden and back.
• No extra space needed: Systems fit in closets, under sinks, or on balconies.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, apartment composting is one of the fastest-growing urban sustainability practices—and it’s easier than ever.

Best Composting Methods for Apartments

Forget backyard piles. These systems are designed for tight spaces:

1. Bokashi Bin (Fermentation)

How it works: Anaerobic fermentation using beneficial microbes.
Space needed: Under sink or in pantry.
Time to finish: 4–6 weeks.
Smell: Pickle-like (not rotten).
Best for: All food scraps—even meat and dairy (in small amounts).

2. Worm Composter (Vermicomposting)

How it works: Red wiggler worms eat scraps and produce castings.
Space needed: 2–3 stacked trays (fits on balcony or floor).
Time to finish: 2–3 months.
Smell: Earthy, like forest soil.
Best for: Fruit/veggie scraps, coffee grounds, paper.

3. Electric Composter

How it works: Heats and dries scraps into dry fertilizer in 24–72 hours.
Space needed: Countertop.
Time to finish: 1–3 days.
Smell: None.
Best for: Busy urbanites who want speed and simplicity.

Step-by-Step: Bokashi Composting (No Smell Guaranteed)

Bokashi is the #1 choice for odor-free apartment composting.

What You Need

• A Bokashi bin with airtight lid and spigot
• Bokashi bran (microbe-infused wheat bran)
• Kitchen scraps (fruit, veg, coffee, eggshells, even small meat/dairy)

Step-by-Step

1. Add scraps to the bin. Chop large pieces.
2. Sprinkle 1–2 tbsp Bokashi bran over every 2 inches of scraps.
3. Press down firmly to remove air pockets.
4. Seal the lid tightly after each use.
5. Drain liquid weekly through the spigot (use as fertilizer diluted 1:100).
6. When full, let ferment for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place.
7. Bury the pre-compost in a plant pot, balcony planter, or community garden.

Pro tip: Keep two bins—one filling, one fermenting—for continuous composting.

Worm Composting: Quiet & Efficient

Worms are nature’s recyclers—and they’re surprisingly low-maintenance.

How to Start

1. Buy a worm bin (or DIY with plastic totes).
2. Add bedding: shredded newspaper, coconut coir, or cardboard.
3. Moisten bedding until it feels like a damp sponge.
4. Add 1 lb of red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida).
5. Feed 1–2 times/week: fruit/veggie scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags.
6. Harvest castings every 2–3 months by moving finished compost to one side.

Warning: Never add meat, dairy, oily foods, or citrus—they kill worms or cause odors.

What to Compost (and What to Avoid)

Not all scraps are equal. Follow this guide:

Troubleshooting: Fix Odors & Pests Fast

Problems are rare—but if they happen, here’s how to fix them:

• Foul smell: Caused by too much food or not enough bran (Bokashi) or overfeeding (worms). Stop adding scraps for a week. Add dry bedding or bran.
• Fruit flies: Always bury scraps under bedding or bran. Keep lid sealed. Place a vinegar trap nearby.
• Mold: White mold is normal in Bokashi. Black/green mold means too much moisture—add dry paper.
• Worms escaping: Bin is too wet, acidic, or overcrowded. Add dry bedding and stop feeding for 1 week.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: Does apartment composting really not smell?
A: Not if done right. Bokashi smells like pickles; worm bins smell like soil.

Q: How much space does it take?
A: A Bokashi bin fits under most sinks (12x12x18 inches).

Q: Can I compost in winter?
A: Yes! Indoor systems work year-round.

Q: What do I do with the finished compost?
A: Mix into your herb pots, balcony planters, or balcony garden soil. See our guide to urban self-sufficiency.

Q: Are worms gross?
A: Not at all. They stay hidden in bedding and are quiet, clean, and efficient.

Q: Is Bokashi bran safe?
A: Yes. It’s made from wheat bran and natural microbes—non-toxic and food-safe.

Composting in an apartment isn’t just possible—it’s empowering. Every coffee ground, every carrot peel, becomes part of a cycle that feeds your plants, reduces waste, and reconnects you to the rhythm of nature.

If this guide helped you start your zero-waste journey, share it with a fellow urban dweller. And tell us: which composting method will you try first?