Composting is the oldest and most natural means of waste disposal. It is not only a great way to reduce your household waste; it also acts as a great soil nutrient, which can help to encourage plant life and wildlife in your garden.
The following explains:
Compost is formed as a result of the natural breakdown of organic matter, such as food or plants. This breakdown occurs when the organic matter is exposed to elements such as oxygen, bacteria, fungi and insects. These help to decompose the organic matter into natural topsoil, which you can then use to fertilise your garden.
If you want to create compost at home, you will need a compost bin. You can either make one yourself from wooden boxes or pallets or you can ‘buy one and get another at half price’ from our
Composting shop. This offer lasts until 31 March 2011.
It is estimated that around 30% of all household waste is suitable for composting. This includes garden waste and uncooked kitchen food waste such as:
- Grass cuttings
- Dead flowers and end of year annuals
- Weeds (but not persistent ones)
- Twigs, cuttings and prunings (hedge, shrub, tree and hardwood plants)
- Hay, fungi and leaves
- Sawdust/wood ash
- Vegetarian pet droppings
- Small amounts of shredded paper
- Raw fruit (apple cores and all fruit peel)
- Vegetable scraps (raw potato and vegetable peelings, outer cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves and other salad)
- Tea leaves and torn tea bags
- Coffee grounds
- Crushed egg shells
As a rule of thumb, anything which was once living can be composted. However, you should avoid putting cooked food, meat and dairy products in the compost bin as these types of foods need different treatment to decompose and may attract vermin.
By composting waste, instead of disposing of it in your dustbin, you can help to substantially reduce the amount of waste which is sent to landfill. This will help to save the environment by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases which are released into the atmosphere.