Composting

Composting is a system of breaking down the complex carbohydrates and proteins in dead organic material into simpler nutrients, which can be used in plants.

Britain’s households throw away millions of tonnes of rubbish each year. As much as 25% of all our household waste could be composted. This would help reduce the amount currently being buried in landfill sites, which adds to pollution including greenhouse gas.

Tips on Composting

Reactivate old, partially composted or dead heaps by breaking down and rebuilding or mixing in fresh grass or cuttings.
Use 2 bins side by side - fresher waste rots in one whilst ripe compost can be taken from another bin.
Dig into planting areas to improve soil structure, especially in clay based soils. It makes heavy soils easier to work and helps light soils to hold water.
Spread around shrubs and trees as a mulch
Use in the spring and summer – spread on the surface and dig in to the top few inches of soil.
The more you put in at once and the hotter the weather, the quicker it composts.

Why Should I Compost?

Helps reduce the amount of household waste produced locally and nationally.
Improves the quality of the soil, as it is an excellent soil conditioner and a rich source of plant food.
Saves money, as there is no need to buy commercial compost.
It helps preserve threatened peat bogs and endangered wildlife habitats.

What Should I Compost?

YES PLEASE		NO THANKS
Garden waste (i.e. grass cuttings, hedge clippings, pruning, old plants and flowers) Kitchen waste (e.g. fruit and vegetable peelings; tea bags / leaves, coffee grounds, egg shells Young weeds Sawdust, wood ash Crumpled or shredded cardboard Autumn leaves (small amounts only – if not put them in black bin bags as they rot down and are great for mulch) Woody pruning if shredded to a small size Pure wool jumpers Bedding from vegetarian pets such as rabbits		Cooked food, meat, fish and bread Dog / cat faeces Nappies Glass, plastic or metal (recycle separately) Paper with coloured ink Plants infected with persistent diseases (i.e. clubroot, white rot, blackspot) Corks Coal ash Paper - most paper is coated so will not decompose organically