Country Lore: Sawdust Eliminates Compost Odor

By Brett Ward Butler
June/July 2006

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I recently moved into a tipi and absolutely love it. I do not have electricity or running water. But I am able to store water in a big jug by using a hand pump on a well at the farm where the tipi is set up.

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I wanted to keep a compost bucket in the tipi for vegetable scraps, but was concerned about the composting material causing a bad odor. A friend gave me some sawdust to use: After each addition in the compost bucket, I add a layer of sawdust. The sawdust absorbs moisture, eliminates the odor and the whole bucket of material can be added to my outdoor compost pile.

—Brett Ward Butler
Winston Salem, North Carolina
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  • Rosewood513 3/25/2010 10:44:32 AM

    Thanks I never thought of using sawdust. I have a abundant amount of sawdust since I work with wood.
    My father used to use some of it to make wood putty or filler. I have too much for that I will use it in my compost. Great tip
    I have thought about living thie way but I am not that adventurous. Good luck.

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