I would add some shredded newspaper/junk mail to it. That will provide some carbon and help soak up some of the goo!

That vegetable matter in the bucket under the sink is doing what any vegetable matter would do after a while, being digested and turning into compost. Shredded paper could be a carbon source as could kitty litter that is made from ground up corn cobs, but not the clay kitty litter. Do not add any source of Nitrogen to that bucket since there is plenty there already.

What you are experiencing is why we had a path cleared to the compost bins, so we could empty that collection bucket every few days before what was in there began to compost.

Kimmq is kimmsr

This is my first compost and although I have a heap of leaves, older recycled soil and wood chips... I havent added any vegetable scraps or manure/meal to that pile yet. And its covered in snow. So, I'm just starting where I can right now. Thank you for the helpful advice! Ive added some old newspaper to the bin and Im hoping to gather some leaves and brown matter in the upcoming days while we have some good weather.

We use a layer of pellet fuel to soak up the excess liquid in the compost bucket - it turns to sawdust when it gets wet and soaks up lots of moisture, and also use shredded paper.

Look for a local pellet fuel that doesn't use binders - the cheap pine stuff is great. a 40-lb bag will last you for months and months.

"but not the clay kitty litter"

Who said anything about adding kitty litter?

Lloyd,

Kimmq suggested using corncob-based kitty litter as a carbon source that would help absorb the moisture. I think he/she was just clarifying that the typical clay-based litters would not have the same benefit.

Martha

I've heard of using kitty litter or even dog food that is natural for an addition in your compost. All good things to hear :D Thanks everyone. Your feedback has been very helpful and greatly appreciated!

Valrie

Why not add the stuff under the sink directly to the compost pile? Snow / freezing won't harm it.

Just toss that stuff on the heap. Dig a bit under the snow if it makes you feel better )).

Or get a 5-gallon plastic bucket with a lid and keep it outside the door. Dump your kitchen stuff into it. When it gets full, wait for a warm enough day for it to thaw out and make the trek to the pile to dump it. I keep a pile or bag of leaves next to the compost and layer them with the kitchen stuff during the winter. Come spring it will start to make compost. Don't keep that stuff under your sink, blech. :-]

Hello Valrie87,

I have the same situation of a gooey veggie compost, and I am toying with the idea of adding some coco peat powder to help soak up the water content in my compost pile. Do you think this may be a great idea for a solution to the gooey issue?

Yeah! Peat is a great solution. I went out to the yard to gather leaves after the snow melted to help with the moisture.

Peat works fine but it does cost money. If you can get free stuff, so much the better. Sawdust, planer shavings, wood chips, shredded newspaper and junk mail, etc. will work just as well.

Thanks Valrie.. and Toxcrusadr.., for the endorsement and the additional suggestion