Composting for Renters in Australia: A Practical Guide
One of the most common frustrations for renters who want to live more sustainably is composting. You might not have a garden, you might not be sure what you’re allowed to do, and you might be moving again in six months. But composting is absolutely possible as a renter — and some of the best options require no garden at all.
Renter-friendly composting options
Option 1: Worm farm
A worm farm is the ideal composting system for renters. It:
- Takes up minimal space (a standard 3-tray worm farm fits on a balcony or in a large cupboard)
- Produces no unpleasant smell when maintained correctly
- Doesn’t require landlord permission (it’s portable indoor furniture)
- Moves with you when you change properties
- Produces liquid fertiliser you can use on indoor plants or give to a neighbour with a garden
Option 2: Bokashi system
Bokashi fermentation lives entirely under your kitchen sink and has no size requirements. It accepts all food waste including meat and dairy, which makes it particularly useful for households that don’t want to think too hard about what’s compostable.
The key challenge for renters is what to do with the fermented output when you have no garden. See the section below for solutions.
Option 3: Council FOGO bin
If your council offers a FOGO (food organics and garden organics) bin service, this is the simplest option of all. All food scraps go in the FOGO bin and are processed at an industrial composting facility.
Check your council website to see if FOGO is available in your area. Coverage is expanding across Australia, but availability varies significantly.
Option 4: Community garden composting
Many community gardens have compost bays that accept household food scraps from the local community. This is an excellent option if you don’t want to maintain your own composting system — and it’s a great way to connect with your local sustainability community.
Search “community garden [your suburb]” or check with your local council to find community gardens accepting food waste in your area.
Wondering what you can actually add to your compost? From everyday kitchen scraps to garden waste, our guide breaks it all down by method and material—explore What Can You Compost? A Complete Australian Guide
What to do with compost output when you have no garden
Both worm farms and Bokashi systems produce output that needs somewhere to go. Here are options for renters without gardens:
- Indoor plants. Diluted worm juice (1 part worm juice to 10 parts water) is an excellent liquid fertiliser for indoor plants. Worm castings can be used as a top dressing in pot plants.
- Balcony garden. Even a small collection of pots benefits enormously from worm castings and worm juice.
- Share with neighbours. Many people with gardens are thrilled to receive worm castings or Bokashi output. A quick post to your local neighbourhood Facebook group or app usually finds takers quickly.
- Community garden. Community gardens accept both worm castings and Bokashi output as donations.
- Street trees. Bokashi output can be buried around established street trees in a trench — check with your council, but this is generally encouraged.
Do I need landlord permission to compost?
For indoor or balcony systems like worm farms and Bokashi buckets, you generally don’t need landlord permission — these are moveable items and don’t alter the property.
If you want to install a large outdoor compost bin in a garden area, it’s worth checking with your landlord or property manager first. Frame it as a sustainable improvement to the property and offer to leave the system when you move.
Getting started: the renter’s composting kit
| Item | Cost | Where to find | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worm farm kit | $80–$200 | Hardware stores, garden centres, Banish | Look for 3-tray systems for best capacity |
| Compost worms | $30–$60 | Garden centres, online | Red wrigglers or tiger worms only |
| Bokashi bucket kit | $50–$120 | Hardware stores, online | Buy 2 buckets for continuous system |
| Bokashi bran | $15–$30 | Hardware stores, online | Repurchase every 1–2 months |
| Kitchen caddy | $10–20 | Supermarkets, hardware stores | For collecting scraps before adding to your system |
Looking to reduce your waste, live more sustainably, and finally understand composting? Check out our comprehensive e-book, which has everything you need to know here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I compost if I live in a unit with no balcony?
Yes. A worm farm can be kept indoors in a ventilated cupboard, under the kitchen sink, or in a spare corner at temperatures of 15–25°C. A Bokashi bucket fits under any kitchen sink. Both are odour-free when maintained correctly.
Can I take my worm farm when I move?
Yes — a worm farm is a moveable item that travels with you. Use a tray with a lid and pack the worms with their bedding for the move. Keep the journey short and cool to minimise stress on the worms.
Will my landlord allow a worm farm?
A worm farm is portable furniture and typically doesn’t require permission to keep. It has no impact on the property. Bokashi buckets are the same. If in doubt, ask your property manager — most are supportive of sustainable practices.
What if my council doesn’t have FOGO?
Check again — FOGO is rolling out rapidly across Australian councils. If it’s not available yet, a worm farm or Bokashi system is your best option. You can also advocate for FOGO through your local council.