Photo by Plan for Opportunity

More than 30% of our trash is compostable organic mater. This means that by composting our organic waste, we can reduce by 30% the amount of trash that needs to be incinerated. In the process, you create rich and free compost for your indoor plants and garden. You can compost even if you don’t have a garden, using neighborhood composting systems or vermicomposting.

Composting means letting nature do its trick to treat your waste, but it can be a bit tricky to get the system going in your own back yard (for a primer, see this site). The guys bellow will help you get started, even if you don’t have a back-yard. They’ll also help you buy the right equipment.

Composting at Home

For those of you lucky enough to have a garden, you just need to learn a few basic rules and have some basic equipment to get started. You’ll find loads of info on the internet, the Vegweb or Recycle now are both good for beginners. The Master Composter is the ultimate guide.

If you feel you need more support, and would like to get hands-on advice around Brussels:

• Bruxelles Environnement and Worms have created a network of volunteer Master Composters (Maitres Composteurs). These guys know what they are talking about.  They have received proper training to make sure they are as efficient in transmitting their know-how as they are in turning waste into compost. Check out the complete list of Master Composters for each commune, you can simply get in touch with them.
• Your commune’s compost station will also be of good help. Some of them will provide equipment at reduced rates or info on local financial incentives for composting.
• You can also join one of the training sessions for private composters (Formation au compostage individuel in French)

If you don’t have a garden vermicomposting is a good option. You’ll find info on the Master Composter‘s website. Worms also has specific training dates for this type of composting.

Composting In your Neighborhood

Neighborhood composting stations are great if you don’t want a composting system right in your back-yard, but still want to put your organic waste to good use. These stations are managed by locals, with Worms providing some support.

Worms maintains a database and a map of local groups. Some of the groups are open to anyone in the given neighborhood (Compost de quartier), others are more exclusive and only open to those living in specific buildings (Compost collectif d’habitants).

Bulky Organic Waste

You’ll find that you won’t be able to compost large quantities of organic waste by yourself: large quantities of grass clippings, branches, leaves … This type of waste is collected from Spring to Fall, either at your door step or at central collection points, depending on your commune. Bruxelles Propreté‘s website has the list of collection points and communes with a collection system.