Biowaste

Composting is a natural process that allows organic waste to decompose, producing a nutrient-rich soil enhancer. Separate collection and composting of biodegradable waste support the achievement of national recycling targets, such as increasing the recycling rate to at least 55% of municipal waste by 2025. Every resident who participates in the separate collection of organic waste contributes to responsible resource use and helps achieve environmental goals.

Residents who want to reduce their waste and gain a valuable resource for gardening or houseplants have access to various composting methods—both widely used and more innovative or uncommon. This article provides an overview of composting opportunities in urban areas, community composting initiatives, and practical tips for successful composting.

Food Waste Management in Urban Areas: Challenges and Solutions

The safest and most recommended way to manage food waste in urban areas is by placing it in organic waste collection containers. This is a centralized and controlled system for collecting organic, including food, waste, ensuring appropriate processing and recycling. However, food waste can also be composted in urban environments, especially by residents of private homes or small apartment buildings with limited backyard space, provided they agree and follow local regulations for composting sites and avoid harming the surrounding environment.

Although composting can produce a valuable soil amendment and reduce waste disposal costs, there are risks—food waste can attract rodents and pests, and decomposition can cause unpleasant odors. For these reasons, food waste is not permitted in community or other publicly accessible composting sites.

Community Composting Initiatives

Apartment building residents without access to private gardens can still participate in composting, mainly through garden and park waste composting options.

Composting Garden and Park Waste Near Apartment Buildings

Municipalities that allow composting sites for garden and park waste in apartment courtyards promote eco-friendly waste practices. To implement this, residents and property managers must agree on suitable composting locations in compliance with city regulations regarding compost bin placement. Permissible materials include grass clippings, leaves, small branches, and weeds. It's essential to establish shared responsibility for managing the composting process and to agree on how the resulting compost will be used in common areas or distributed among residents.

Municipal composting regulations may differ. For example, Talsi municipality’s waste management regulations provide for the creation of publicly accessible composting sites.

Municipally Designated Composting Areas for Garden and Park Waste

Apartment residents can also use public composting sites for garden and park waste provided by municipalities. These sites allow residents to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and branches. For example, Jelgava municipality has three such garden waste collection points. In Sigulda, the "Kreiļi" composting site offers free drop-off of garden and park waste, with specific limits on waste types and quantities. Accepted items include old plants, flowers, weeds (up to 50 cm in length), grass clippings, and leaves (free from plastic or glass), with separate containers for uncut branches and food waste.

“Kreiļi” Composting SiteImage: Jumis.lv

Partnering with Businesses or Farms for Public Composting Sites

Partnerships with businesses and farms can help expand the network of public composting sites. Nurseries, botanical gardens, and similar venues can contribute space and use the compost produced for their needs. Farms near cities can collaborate with municipalities to establish composting areas on their land, giving city residents more options for disposing of garden waste. Municipalities can also provide land or supervision.

In Riga, the municipal companies “Rīgas meži” and “Rīgas ūdens” have created a public green waste composting site for garden and park waste. The resulting compost is used to enrich Riga’s green areas but is not available to the public.

Such collaborations can serve as an effective model for other cities, provided composting is done in accordance with environmental requirements, with regular quality control. Monitoring systems should prevent improper waste disposal, and composting sites should clearly display the contact information of responsible persons.

Innovative and Less Common Composting Methods for Apartment Dwellers

Urban apartment residents unable to use traditional composting can consider indoor alternatives such as vermicomposting and the Bokashi method.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting uses specific worm species—typically red California worms—to break down food waste. Ideal for apartments, this method requires little space and, when managed properly, does not emit odors. It requires a special bin with bedding (e.g., shredded cardboard or newspaper) and worms. Food waste is added gradually, but restrictions apply: worms should not be fed salty foods, citrus fruits/peels, or spicy items. The worms produce nutrient-rich vermicompost and a liquid byproduct, “vermi-tea,” which can be used as a plant fertilizer.

Vermicomposting BinImage: Amazon Bokashi Method

Bokashi composting is an anaerobic (oxygen-free) fermentation process using a special mix of bacteria. Suitable for apartments, this method allows composting of all food waste, including meat and dairy—usually excluded from home composting. A sealed container is used, with alternating layers of food waste and Bokashi mix. Excess liquid (“Bokashi tea”) is drained every few days and can be diluted for use as fertilizer. After about two weeks, the fermented mass isn’t finished compost but a pre-compost that can be buried in soil or added to another compost system. The process produces a mild, pickle-like odor.

Bokashi Composting BinImage: Bokashi Living

Practical Tips for Urban Composting

To compost successfully in an urban setting, follow these practical guidelines:

Getting Started:

• Choose a composting method that fits your living space and waste volume (community, home, or alternative methods);

• Gather necessary materials and set up the composting site in line with regulations;

• If using community composting, designate a responsible person, define responsibilities, and inform all participants about composting rules.

Basic Composting Principles:

• Layer compost properly: balance green waste (e.g., grass, weeds) and brown waste (e.g., dry leaves, straw, small branches) with food waste for best results;

• Maintain proper moisture: compost should be moist, not wet;

• Ensure air circulation: turn the compost regularly, especially the top layer;

• Chop large waste pieces (2–5 cm) to speed up decomposition.

Avoiding Common Problems:

• To prevent bad odors, maintain the right balance of materials and mix regularly for good airflow;

• To deter pests, ensure optimal moisture and aeration, which creates temperatures that destroy pest organisms.

Educational Resources:

• Riga City Council’s Waste Sorting Guide;

• LIFE Waste to Resources IP website;

• Websites of “Zero Waste Latvia” and “Green Liberty” as information and support sources.

Benefits of Urban Composting

Urban composting provides diverse benefits at individual and community levels.

Environmental Benefits:

• Reduces landfill waste and associated methane emissions (after 2035, landfills may only accept 10% of municipal waste);

• Decreases need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides;

• Improves soil health and structure, enhancing water and nutrient retention;

• Supports the circular economy by turning organic waste into valuable resources.

Economic Benefits:

• Long-term savings on waste management for both residents and municipalities;

• Free, high-quality compost for gardening and houseplants;

• Less need to buy commercial fertilizers.

Community Benefits:

• Promotes environmental responsibility and community engagement;

• Creates opportunities for local green initiatives and community gardens.