Home Composting
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Home Composting
Not yet been introduced to the wonders of home composting?
Now is the time to start.
Join the thousands of people in the UK that are discovering the benefits of composting, and if you're a keen gardener you will have free compost on tap.
Watch your garden flourish:
Compost not only adds nutrients to the soil in your garden, but also helps prevents soil erosion and retain water capacity, contributing to better root development in plants and trees and a happier, healthier garden.
Reduce your waste:
Did you know that approximately 25-30% of our black bin is comprised of food waste? As well as cutting back on the food we throw away, we can divert our waste by putting any uncooked food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peelings in a home composter.
Reduce your carbon footprint:
When organic matter such as garden and food waste reach a landfill site it releases gases that contribute to climate change. Through home-composting we can all play our part in creating a greener future.
Getting Started
Where do I put my composter?
Ideally you should put it onto a soil base so that the insects and microbes can transfer between both, as well as air and moisture. A good mix of worms is a healthy sign in a composter. If a soil base is not possible it can be placed onto a concrete base - ideally you would add a thin layer of soil to get it started. Try and position it so that it gets some shade in the summer months as this will prevent it drying out.
What can I put into the composter?
You need a combination of browns and greens. Browns are bits of cardboard, scrunched up paper, dried leaves, wood prunings etc. Greens are uncooked fruit and vegetable peelings, garden waste (grass cuttings, green leaves and soft prunings etc) as well as tea and coffee grounds.
What can't I put in my composter?
Cooked food, fish and meat bones, perennial weeds, diseased plants and cat or dog faeces.
Then what do I do?
Add a mixture of the above greens and brown into your composter. When adding more waste check the contents and mix occasionally. If the mixture is too dry, add water and if it's too wet, add some more browns such as egg cartons or cardboard.
How long will it take?
You should have a compostable mixture at the bottom of your bin after between 6-12 months.
Do I have to buy a composter?
No, you can make a composter out of any material that you have, a few old pallets are very good for making a composter, ideally you need to be able to keep the rain out. You can also createcompost by simply piling material together at the bottom of your garden. It will break down eventually.
For more information and a step-by-step guide to home-composting please visit http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/.
For a printable order form please click here.
Wormeries and FoodDigesters
Not got the space for a home composter? Wormeries are ideal for properties with smaller gardens and less space.
Want to compost all types of food waste? Food digesters turn all kitchen waste, including cooked and uncooked food, meat and fish and dairy products, into nutrient-rich compost.
Visit the following website for more information about wormeries and accessories
Updated 23 May 2008
