Composting is the cheapest, easiest way to supercharge your garden — and reduce your kitchen waste. Whether you live in a flat or terrace house, composting in Malaysia is totally doable (and doesn’t have to smell like a tong sampah). In this guide, we’ll show you how to make your own compost at home using everyday waste, local materials, and simple tools.
🥕 What is Compost, Really?
Compost is decomposed organic matter — basically, nutrient-rich soil made from your food and garden waste. It adds nutrients, improves soil structure, and boosts plant health.
You can make it from:
- Vegetable peels
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Dried leaves
- Grass clippings
- Banana peels
- Old fruits (avoid citrus or oily stuff)
🧂 What NOT to Compost (in Malaysia’s Heat)
| ❌ Avoid These | Why |
|---|---|
| Meat, bones | Attracts pests, smells |
| Dairy | Rot smell and maggots |
| Oily food | Slow breakdown |
| Cooked rice | Ferments and molds |
| Pet poop | Contains pathogens |
🪴 How to Start Composting at Home
Option 1: DIY Compost Bin
- Use a plastic container with a lid
- Drill small holes on the sides for airflow
- Add layers of green and brown materials
Option 2: Clay Pot or Gunny Sack
- Perfect for small spaces or balconies
- Line bottom with old newspaper or leaves
Option 3: Buy a Compost Bin (Shopee/Lazada)
- Search “kompos tong” or “indoor compost bin”
🍃 Green vs Brown Waste
| Green (Wet) | Brown (Dry) |
|---|---|
| Vege peels | Dried leaves |
| Coffee grounds | Newspaper |
| Banana skins | Cardboard |
| Eggshells | Sawdust |
✅ Always maintain a 2:1 ratio — 2 parts brown to 1 part green.
🔄 How to Maintain Your Compost
- Stir it once a week to speed up decomposition
- Keep it moist but not soggy — like a wrung-out sponge
- Add more dry material if it smells bad
⏳ It usually takes 30–60 days in Malaysia’s warm climate
🌿 How to Use Your Compost
- Mix 1 part compost with 2–3 parts soil
- Use as top dressing for chilli, pandan, mango, herbs
- Add to potted plants or seedling trays
Bonus: Your plants will grow faster, resist disease, and yield more fruits
🛒 Where to Get Starter Compost Material (If You Don’t Have a Garden)
- Markets: Ask for discarded veggie scraps (pasar or grocers)
- Coffee shops: Used coffee grounds — many give it free
- Neighbours: Collect dried leaves or grass cuttings
✅ Composting Tips for Malaysia
- Use tight-lid bin to keep out rain and pests
- Place compost in shaded area — not under full sun
- Avoid adding too much of the same thing at once
🧪 Pro Tip: Speed It Up!
Add EM (Effective Microorganisms) solution or a few spoons of old compost to jumpstart the process. You can get EM1 or Bokashi bran from Shopee.
Compost is free, sustainable, and powerful. Start small — even one bin can make a big difference. Got your own DIY kompos style? Tag @ProjectHarvestMY and inspire more Malaysians to go green 🌱♻️