Composting

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.

You’ll also have access to a free e-learning course to help you make the most of your home composter.

You can attend one of our upcoming introduction to home composting online sessions over Zoom.

• Wednesday 24 March from 1 to 2pm (fully booked)
• Thursday 1 April from 7.30 to 8.30pm (fully booked)
• Wednesday 7 April from 1.30 to 2.30pm
• Thursday 8 April from 8pm to 9pm
• Monday 12 April from 1pm to 2pm

Book your place by emailing gardenwaste@n-somerset.gov.uk with the following information: 

• your residential postcode (the online sessions are for North Somerset residents only)
• the session date you would like to book

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.