Holiday Tips for a Hot, Healthy Composting Bin
The holidays are a time of abundance — abundant gatherings, abundant meals, and of course… abundant leftovers. While your garden may be resting for winter, your compost doesn’t have to. In fact, with the right approach, this can be one of the most productive times of year for your bin — especially if you’re using a hot composter like HOTBIN.
Christmas Tips for a Hot and Healthy Composting Bin
The holidays are a time of abundance. Here are the 12 Days of Christmas Tips Composting — simple, effective tips to keep your compost active, balanced, and thriving through the festive season.
Day 1 – Start with the Right Spot
Place your composter out of harsh wind and standing water if needed. Even in cold weather, a sheltered location helps retain more heat and moisture.
Day 2 – Chop, Chop, Chop
Chop food scraps into smaller pieces before adding them. Smaller pieces break down faster, helping the compost heat up more efficiently.
Day 3 – Add Carbon Every Time
For every batch of food waste, add a layer of carbon (1/2 for HOTBIN users): shredded paper, cardboard, dried leaves, or wood pellets (mulch to create air pockets). This prevents odors and balances moisture.
Day 4 – Think Beyond Turkey Bones
Compost vegetable trimmings, fruit peels, coffee grounds, tea bags (plastic-free), eggshells, and even herb stems from your holiday cooking.
Day 5 – Don’t Forget the Paper Waste
Shredded napkins, non-glossy wrapping paper, paper bags, and cardboard packaging are excellent browns for your compost.
Day 6 – Go Easy on Liquids & Fats
Avoid pouring gravy, sauces, oils, or dairy products into the bin. These slow the process and can create odor issues.
Day 7 – Mix Each Feeding
When adding new material (waste, shredded paper, and mulch/woodchips), give it a quick mix to create air pockets. This boosts airflow and encourages aerobic (odor-free) composting.
Day 8 – Feed Smaller, More Often
Instead of one big dumping, feed your compost little and often. This helps maintain an even temperature and steady microbial activity.
Day 9 – Insulate Your Heat
A HOTBIN and other insulated composters can retain heat even in freezing temperatures, allowing food waste to continue breaking down year-round. Be sure to close lid tightly.
Day 10 – Watch the Moisture
Your compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If it’s too wet, add dry paper or cardboard. Too dry? Add a small amount of water.
Day 11 – Use the Kick-Start Method (If Needed)
If your compost has cooled down, place the HOTBIN's kick-start bottle with hot water in the bin for 24 hours will help restart microbial activity.
Day 12 – Remember the Reward
All those holiday scraps are turning into rich, fertile compost — nature’s gold — ready for your spring garden, planters, and flower beds.
A Gift That Keeps on Giving
This Christmas, the best gift might not be under your tree — it could be inside your composter. By recycling your festive leftovers into nutrient-rich compost, you’re reducing waste and creating something valuable for the seasons ahead.
Whether you’re an experienced composter or just getting started, a hot composter like HOTBIN makes it possible to compost year-round… even when the temperatures drop.
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