Earth Day At Home: Start Your Own Rooftop Compost

New York City recently suspended its composting program, so now is the time to start your own! You’ll need: A bin, plus a mix of “brown” organic material and “green” organic material.

Rooftop Composting

Step 1: Choose your bin. If you’re worried about pests or rodents, be sure to use an enclosed bin.

Rooftop Composting

Step 2: Collect your “browns.” These can be dry leaves, wood chips, twigs, straw, etc.

Rooftop Composting

Step 3: Collect your “greens” and cut into small pieces for best results. These can be fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, fresh leaves, etc.

Rooftop Composting

Step 4: Layer. Start with a layer of brown…

Rooftop Composting

Followed by a layer of green…

Rooftop Composting

And repeat.

Rooftop Composting

Step 5: Keep the pile moist but not soggy, ideally like a wrung-out sponge. Turn, or aerate, the pile about once every two weeks. For more information, visit nyc.gov/compost.