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Composting at home is an easy, cheap and environmentally friendly way to manage your garden waste. It has the benefit of producing nutrient rich compost you can then use for your plants.
Composting
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How to get started with home composting
You can buy a discounted 220 litre compost bin made from 100% recycled plastic for just £10 in 2021.
The home composter has the following features:
- 220L capacity
- colour black
- includes a hatch at the bottom for easy access to your compost
- made from 100% post- consumer recycled material
- 740mm diameter and height 900mm
- the supplier indicates via Carbon Trust that its carbon footprint is 9kgCo2e
You’ll also have access to a free e-learning course to help you make the most of your home composter.
How does home composting work
Compost is easy to make and use. You want to aim for a good mix of both ‘green’ and ‘brown’ material.
Greens include plant cuttings, weeds, grass cuttings, hedge clippings, cut flowers, animal manure with straw, fruit and veg peelings.
Browns include autumn leaves, cardboard, egg boxes, egg shells, paper bags, wool, straw, vacuum cleaner contents, used kitchen roll.
Avoid putting dog poo, cat litter, cooked food, bones, plastic packaging and coal ash in your compost bin.
It will take around 12 months for your compost to be ready to use. It will be dark brown, slightly moist with a crumbly texture and smell earthy. Expect it to have twigs and bits of egg shell in it, unlike shop bought compost, but it is good to use.
You can sift out larger bits and return them to your compost bin if they need a bit longer to break down.
More information
Find out more about how to compost on the Recycle Now website or email gardenwaste@n-somerset.gov.uk to request access to the free online e-learning course.