Healthy Eating 101 Budget Cooking Guide Thrifty The #1 Way to Stop Your Countertop Compost Bin From Smelling It’s an inexpensive, discrete and simple way to keep odors at bay. By Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Instagram Jessica Ball is EatingWell's Associate Nutrition Editor. She studied at Michigan State University to get her bachelor's of science in dietetics with a minor is food systems and sustainability. She went on to complete her master's of science in dietetics and dietetic internship at the University of Vermont. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 16, 2021 Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Instagram Lisa Valente is a registered dietitian and nutrition editor. She studied at the University of Vermont, where she completed her undergraduate studies in nutrition, food science and dietetics, and attended the dietetic internship program at Massachusetts General Hospital to become a registered dietitian. She went on to earn a master's degree in nutrition communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. She was a nutrition editor at EatingWell for eight years. Prior to EatingWell, Lisa worked as a research dietitian at Griffin Hospital in Connecticut and also taught cooking and nutrition classes. She was a featured speaker at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) in 2017. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Welcome to Thrifty. A weekly column where assistant nutrition editor and registered dietitian, Jessica Ball, keeps it real on how to grocery shop on a budget, make healthy meals for one or two, and make earth-friendly choices without overhauling your entire life. Getty Images / Daniel Allan Food scraps don't have to turn into trash. Some can even be grown into more edible food and others can be composted to help return nutrients to our food system. Composting is one great way to be sustainable that goes beyond what you eat (we have this guide to composting to help you get started). However, once you start composting it can quickly become apparent that food scraps indoors can get a little, well, funky. There are plenty of tips and tricks to help you keep odors at bay, like adding soil to your compost bin, but I opt for a simple hack. I use a charcoal filter in my countertop compost bin to keep my kitchen smell-free. 12 Pack Charcoal Filters for Kitchen Compost Bin Buy Now Amazon Though the filters themselves might not look like much, these are my saving grace for countertop composting. The small pads of activated charcoal absorb and trap odors that food scrap emit over time. Many countertop compost bins have a built-in compartment at the top to hold a charcoal filter. Simply replace the filters every three to six months, or when you can start smelling the compost again. You can get this 12-pack on Amazon that costs less than $15 and will keep your compost bin well-stocked and stench-free for years. They can also easily be cut to fit a smaller size container. Here are some of my favorite countertop compost bins with compartments for a charcoal filter: Bamboo Compost Bin Buy Now Food52 Grove Compact Countertop Compost Bin Buy Now Walmart Classic Countertop Compost Bin Buy Now Food52 Composting is a great way to repurpose your scraps that is also good for the environment, but it can get a little messy (and smelly). This $15 tool will help stop odors in their tracks so your kitchen can stay smelling fresh and clean. Composting is a budget-friendly way to be more sustainable and close the loop on food waste. For more affordable ways to be sustainable, check out these simple, budget-friendly ways to clean up your diet. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit