Composting

Composting your kitchen and garden waste can have huge benefits for you and the environment. It reduces the amount of material being burnt or entering landfill sites and the compost will improve your garden soil enormously.

In the Garden
Soft green material is the best stuff for your compost heap as it rots down quickly. Woody materials, like shrubs, will break down but will take longer. Grass cuttings can be added, but too many might make the heap become slimy.

Leaves do break down but it takes a very long time. The best thing to do is  collect them up and place them in a bin liner. Make some holes in the liner and leave the bags for about a year, watering occasionally. The leaves will break down into leaf mould that is low in nutrients but is great for improving soil condition.

It’s a good idea to add small amounts of newspaper or cardboard to the heap. This ‘opens up’ the compost allowing air in to help the decay process.

Warm compost rots down more quickly so, if you have an open heap or bin, you could cover it with a piece of carpet to keep the warmth in. Water also helps the decay process so, if you have a sealed bin, collect some rainwater and use it to water your heap occasionally.

It is best to site your compost heap in a warm sunny spot that is sheltered from the wind. If possible put the heap on bare ground to ensure good drainage.

In the Kitchen
All of your waste vegetables and fruit can be used on the compost heap. They will break down quickly. Processed food, like mashed potato, is not suitable and could encourage rats.

What not to put on your compost heap

• Processed foods
• Meat
• Carbohydrates like pasta and bread
• Animal waste

What about things that are too big for my compost heap?
Trees and shrubs might be too big to put on your compost heap. You might also have capacity problems if you have a large garden that produces lots of green waste. You can take these materials to our household waste and recycling sites.
More about waste and recycling sites