Compost City: Practical Composting Know-How for Small-Space Living

by Rebecca Louie

The ultimate guide to individual- and community-scale composting in small urban spaces—with illustrations, expert tips, fun DIY projects, and much more
 
These days, everyone’s talking about compost.

Along with backyard chickeners, balcony beekeepers, rooftop farmers, and community gardeners, urban composters are part of a bumper crop of pioneers who are redefining the green space of crowded towns and cities.

You may think you need a big yard to compost. Think again. Compost City teaches you how to easily choose and care for a compost system that fits perfectly into your (tiny) space, (busy) schedule, and (multifaceted) lifestyle.

Whether you live in a cramped apartment or a sprawling town house, or you dream of composting in a shared space with a group of friends or colleagues, Compost City provides simple and effective indoor and outdoor composting options. Packed with research, expert testimonies, and a healthy dose of humor, this guide will help

• Compost your food scraps and yard waste with ease

• Ease your fears of backbreaking labor, obnoxious odors, big messes, and creepy crawlies ( you can compost successfully without any of the above!)

• Convince compost-wary family, friends, neighbors, and community leaders to green-light your compost dreams

Compost City serves all eco-curious citizens from casual hobbyists to staunch activists. So put your compost cap on. Whether you compost one tea bag or whole honking barrelfuls of scraps at a time, you’re about to have a whole lot of fun .

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Environment, Nature, Reference, Sustainability, Green

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2015

Reviews

[Sarah-Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic, invaluable book, written in such a charming and playful style, you almost forget it's useful and educational. Even if you already compost, this book is a terrific tool, teaching you about the variety of compost methods, many of which allow you to compost even more waste (hello, bokashi!).

It's especially great for people in small spaces, worried about a bin's footprint, or odor. Author Louie guides you past qualms and gets you excited about setting up your system. She even shows you that yes, you too can keep worms.

Compost City also offers tips on activism and getting others involved in composting in a manner that emphasizes fun and community spirit. There is no haranguing or hand-wringing here, just practical, useful (and funny) guidelines for setting up a system that benefits us all.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource! We've been composting at our house, but haven't given much thought to the process. This definitely gave me more information on how to do it properly to see results faster!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly a fantastic composting book from start to finish - give this as a gift to all the would-be compost nerds in your life!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally genius. Did not expect to laugh out loud reading a book about compost. Also loved the Girl Scout shout out.

[Heather Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a breezy style, Compost City provides lots of info, lots of options and ideas for anyone. Outdoor composting (veg matter and other), Indoor Vermiculture, Bokashi Fermentation (AKA pre-composting), and Manure are explored in-depth. Mixed in are examples from around the country of successful composting and it use: companies, community groups, and classes. The last two sections are concerned with doing work in and with the community and ways to help the Green Movement around the country.

[Jana Kelsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

the author has a good humor in her writing which added a chuckle here and there. this was such an inspiring read, and I was totally on board with creating my own pile until I realized COCKROACHES are a part of the decomposing ecosystem. I cannot possibly find myself with an infestation of cock roaches. so, in the end, this isn't for me. but this book is humorous and inspiring.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't care for the humor at times, but the info was thorough and plentiful. She gave great examples of composting projects throughout the U.S., a list of resources and just great suggestions of how to start organizing composting projects to get people involved.

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. Lots of really awesome ideas on how to compost. Did not think that I would be able to compost living in a apartment but with this book, I can. Thanks for the free book!!

[Jacqueline M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent intro to composting and the home compost sections were excellent. The resource guide in the back is fantastic for those looking for a deeper dive. What I didn't love was basically half the book devoted to community composting operations and start up. That's really overwhelming for most people starting out and not a common desire. I felt this information would have been better for a separate volume.

[Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, well-written, charming introduction (and more) to the many ways to compost when you haven't got acres of space. I loved Louie's voice and turn of phrase, and I thought she successfully made a dry (heh) topic like compost into something rich and fun and a little bit hip. Needless to say, I'm excited to put her advice to good use.

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very comprehensive guide to composting, which I read from cover to cover. I felt the author's examples of community compost projects were a bit limited — a whole world exists beyond the US, you know — and the chapters on vermicomposting and bokashi fermentation confirmed that these methods are not for me (much as I love worms). Good primer for beginners with a casual and humorous tone.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to composting in all of it forms: backyard bins, worms, urban farming, and even bokashi. It's written in really accessible language for beginners and full of good tool ideas and tips.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not enjoy the humor in this book but the information in it was super helpful. Also did not read large swathes of it about getting involved in community stuff and "eco-taining" - I just wanted a resource, not a lifestyle change...

[Judy Zingher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chatty and a little cutesy, but good info, though somewhat confusing. Deals with more complicated processes, like Bokashi fermentation which I won't do. Helpful. I'm modifying my practice a bit based on what I read.

[Julia Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note to self: Good resources listed in back of book for further reading and/or volunteer ideas.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

working on starting to compost in my apartment! was useful in learning how to set up bins and how to make sure the worms don't die

[Bonnie Jerro · Rating 5 out of 5]

stellar ideas - now if only people would get their shit together and listen

[Maci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource and ideas for composting. I’m on board with everything but using worms as an ingredient in chocolate chip cookies!

[Anita Comfort · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than I wanted or needed to know...but interesting. I’m ready to start composing in a very small way now.

[Rebecca Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear, funny, and helpful. She covers multiple types of composting and gives examples of how others are making a difference in their community. Might be worth buying.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book that covers all the different ways to compost, whether you have a large outdoor space or a small apartment. Even includes ways to make your own compost systems.

[Sarah Wonders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for beginners with any lifestyle/ space

[Nora Frigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information about the basics of composting, different systems, and how to choose the best for you! I really enjoyed the tips and recommendations. Written plainly so it is easy to understand.

[tea.tastes.tubs.and.tales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative for beginners!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives step-by-step guidance for several forms of composting. It includes apartment and city composting, but also gives information for the outdoor composter with more space.

[Özgür Takmaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bokashi, vermiculture.

[Grace Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting! I was expecting to like it, but this book went above and beyond what I expected!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, practical, accessible, and full of effortless puns.

Because sometimes, you just need to read a book about rot.

[Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

[Brad Benson (moved to StoryGraph) ⬇️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read that explained the science and mechanics of composting in an understandable and entertaining way. Also, the impact of reducing, reusing, and recycling (literally). If you have any curiosity or interest in starting to compost --whether independently or through a community organization-- this is your handbook!