composting in the big city

[lcmayer.livejournal.com]

I am interested in composting, but the thought of a big smelly bin in my postage stamp of a back yard is unappealing to me (any undoubtly to my neighbors too).I also don't want to attrack unwanted guests (skunks, rats and the like). Has anyone found a solution that is both environmentally and community friendly? Do you store it outside? Do you use worms, and if so what happens in the winter months - do you have to bring it inside? Many thanks!

Comments

Re: Worms

[in-parentheses.livejournal.com]

Er...that article is full of red flags. "Recent research done by German scientists," with no information to enable you to find the original article yourself? And how about that awesomely panicked headline: "Worms are killing the planet, says top researcher" -- according to the article, he said no such thing.

Worms "compost" the soil all the time, naturally. All kinds of life going about its business (like breathing, for example) releases greenhouse gases. I hardly think it's time to panic about worm compost. This sounds to me like another example of the media fear-mongering we should be so used to by now.

If anyone can find me an actual scientific article about this, I'd love to read it!

Re: Worms

[mattdm.livejournal.com]

My question is: a third of what of nitrous oxide gases?

Re: Worms

[derekp.livejournal.com]

I had the same question. My intent wasn't to vouch for the accuracy of the article. I actually just stumbled across it the night before this post when I was looking for links tagged with "compost" on del.icio.us