January has a funny way of turning small annoyances into big decisions. The trash smells faster because the heat’s on. You cook at home more. The “I’ll deal with it later” food scraps pile up, and suddenly your kitchen feels less calm than you want it to.
If you’ve ever tried composting (or even just separating food scraps) and quit after a week, it usually wasn’t because you didn’t care. It was because the setup wasn’t frictionless.
The truth is: most people don’t fail at composting. Their systems fail them.
And in the U.S., that matters. Food is the single most common material landfilled, and EPA data shows that only a small slice of wasted food gets composted. [1] Meanwhile, national agencies have been pushing hard on reducing food loss and waste and increasing organics recycling, with a stated goal of cutting food loss and waste by 50% by 2030. [2][3] Translation: this is not a niche hobby anymore. It’s becoming part of how households manage waste.
So how do you make it doable in real life—especially in January, when routines either get simplified or abandoned?
You start with a “no-drama” kitchen system: one small bin, one simple habit, and liners that don’t make you dread the process.
Why composting breaks down at the kitchen level
A lot of composting advice starts at the end: “Take scraps to a backyard pile” or “Drop off at your municipal program.” But most friction happens before you ever get there.
Common failure points:
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The bin leaks or gets gross quickly
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Odors make the kitchen feel dirty
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You avoid emptying it because the bag is flimsy
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The bin is too big, so scraps sit too long
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You don’t have a reliable place to store full bags while you wait for pickup or drop-off
When those happen, the habit collapses—and you go back to tossing everything in the trash.
If you want composting (or food scrap separation) to stick, the kitchen step must be easy and repeatable.
The January angle: “organize the habit, not your willpower”
January is peak “reset season.” People reorganize cabinets, simplify routines, and look for small upgrades that make daily life smoother. Composting fits perfectly into that mindset when it’s framed as a kitchen workflow—like meal prep or cleaning—rather than an eco project that requires extra effort.
There’s also a real-world incentive: food waste is expensive at the national level, and organizations like ReFED estimate tens of millions of tons of food end up in waste destinations each year. [4] That’s why you keep seeing food waste and organics recycling show up in policy, municipal programs, and consumer messaging. [2][3]
So instead of trying to be perfect, aim for “consistent and low friction.”
The 10-minute kitchen compost routine (the one most people can actually maintain)
Here’s a routine designed for normal households—busy schedules, small kitchens, kids, roommates, and all.
Step 1: Choose a small bin size on purpose
Smaller is better for beginners. A small bin fills up faster, which means you empty it before odors build up. That’s not a bug—it’s the system working.
A 4.5–5 liter countertop bin is a sweet spot for many homes: big enough to hold daily scraps, small enough to force regular emptying.
Step 2: Use liners that match the bin and the habit
This is where many setups break. If you use a bag that’s too large, you’ll “wait until it’s full,” which often means days of scraps sitting around. If you use a bag that tears easily, you’ll resent the whole process.
A small liner size encourages the best behavior: empty more often, less smell, less mess.
That’s exactly why mini compostable liners have become a go-to upgrade for people who want the habit without the hassle.
Step 3: Make the bin a “prep station,” not a trash can
Position it where scraps are created:
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next to the cutting board area
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near the sink
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on a lower shelf you can access quickly
Then use it like a prep bowl: scraps go in immediately, not later.
Step 4: Do the “2-minute closeout” after dinner
At the end of dinner cleanup, do a quick reset:
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tie the liner if it’s close to full
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wipe the bin rim if needed
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take the bag to your outdoor cart, freezer stash (if you do that), or collection area
Two minutes, done. The point is consistency, not perfection.
Step 5: Once a week, do a “bin refresh”
A quick rinse and dry keeps things pleasant. If the system feels clean, you’ll keep using it.
Where AYOTEE Mini Compostable Trash Bags fit in
The AYOTEE Mini Compostable Trash Bags are designed for exactly this countertop workflow:
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Small capacity (1.2 gallon) that fits many 4.5–5 liter bins
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Large count (200 liners), so you’re stocked for months
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Unscented, which many people prefer for kitchens
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Sized for a frequent-empty habit (instead of letting scraps sit for too long)
This isn’t about being “more eco” in a vague way. It’s about building a system you’ll actually maintain.
Because the best waste reduction strategy is the one you repeat.
A quick reality check: compostable does not always mean “home compostable”
Here’s an important note that most brands don’t explain clearly: compostable products are typically designed to break down in managed composting environments, and standards/testing matter. Certification bodies (like those behind widely used compostability standards) emphasize that terms like “biodegradable” and “compostable” aren’t interchangeable, and that compostability claims should be tied to recognized testing standards. [5]
Also, some states regulate compostable labeling and even color cues on bags to reduce contamination in organics streams. [6] In other words: local rules and local facilities matter.
So the smart approach is:
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Use compostable liners to keep the kitchen step cleaner and more convenient
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Then confirm what your local collection program accepts
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If you don’t have a municipal program, consider community drop-off or a home compost setup that matches what you’re collecting
This keeps you compliant and reduces the risk that well-intended sorting turns into contamination.
How to make composting feel easier than taking out the trash
If you want composting (or food scrap separation) to become automatic, focus on two levers: “less gross” and “less decision-making.”
Here’s the simple checklist:
Less gross
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small bin
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frequent emptying
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a liner that holds up
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quick weekly rinse
Less decision-making
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same spot every day
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same closeout time (after dinner)
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same path (to cart, freezer, or drop-off container)
That’s it. You’re not trying to do a lifestyle overhaul. You’re just removing friction.
Why this matters beyond your kitchen
Food waste isn’t just a household inconvenience. It’s a national focus area because it intersects with methane emissions, landfill burden, and cost. That’s why the U.S. has published a national strategy for reducing food loss and waste and increasing organics recycling. [2][3] EPA has also highlighted how large organics streams are within landfill disposal, and how limited composting rates have been historically. [1]
When households adopt even a basic organics routine, it supports broader efforts—especially where municipal or private organics programs exist.
But again: the only way you contribute is if the habit sticks.
And the habit sticks when your kitchen setup feels clean, simple, and reliable.
A “starter week” plan you can copy
If you want a quick start, do this:
Day 1: Set up the bin, add liners, choose the location
Day 2–3: Use it only for prep scraps (keep it simple)
Day 4: Add coffee grounds, tea bags, or other routine scraps if your program allows
Day 5: Do the first “2-minute closeout” and reset
Day 7: Weekly rinse + restock liners
After one week, the setup becomes normal. And once it’s normal, it’s easy.
Final Thoughts
The biggest composting “secret” is that it’s mostly a kitchen organization problem, not a motivation problem. A small countertop bin and the right liner size make the habit cleaner, faster, and far more likely to stick—especially in January, when everyone wants simpler routines that actually last.
If you’ve tried composting before and fell off, don’t blame yourself. Upgrade the system. Start small. Empty often. Keep it clean. And let the routine do the work.
Buy AYOTEE Mini Compostable Trash Bags (200 Count) on Solace Garden
Sources (English only)
[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Composting (food in landfills share; composting share)
[2] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics (goal and framework)
[3] U.S. Department of Agriculture — National Strategy announcement (50% by 2030 goal)
[4] ReFED — Food Waste: The Problem (U.S. food waste estimates and waste destinations)
[5] Biodegradable Products Institute — Certification overview (ASTM D6400/D6868; compostable labeling concepts)
[6] Washington State Department of Ecology — Compostable plastic labeling requirements (labeling/color rules and standards references)