What is Composting?

Composting is the decomposition of materials that originated from animals and plants. These organic materials can be things such as plant trimmings, vegetable cuttings, eggshells and teabags. The composting process produces a dark, crumbly matter that can be used as fertiliser in garden soil. The main stages of composting are:

• Adding organic materials to a compost bin
• Micro-organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, break sown the soft material.
• This causes the compost pile to heat to around 60°C. This is the ideal temperature for micro-organisms to work at.
• The compost pile then cools to below 30°C.
• Small creatures such as worms and insects then break down the tougher material.
• The whole process usually takes about 3 – 9 months, and results in a nutrient-rich fertiliser to use in your garden.
• The compost that is ready to use can be taken from the bottom of the pile, leaving the rest to finish the process.

Why should we Compost?

Traditionally, gardeners have created their own compost using leaves, grass, shrub clippings and other useful organic materials found in the garden.  Applying compost to soils provides an excellent conditioner and mulch, which fertilises and provides soil structure, retains moisture and can restrict weed growth. Man-made compost is an alternative to the peat-based compost extracted from important natural wildlife sites.

In recent years there has been interest in the creation of garden compost from organic household waste, as a result of the growing awareness of the environmental problems created by the traditional disposal methods.  In the UK around 30 million tonnes of domestic refuse is produced each year, which contains on average about 38% organic content, such as vegetable peelings, tea bags and food scraps

In 2003-2004, 72% of municipal waste in England ended up in landfill sites. The organic materials within a landfill are the main source of methane in England (a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide) and, they produce a liquid called leachate, which may enter and contaminate water supplies. The alternative to landfill, incineration, whilst reducing the mass of the waste, does not dispose of it altogether; approximately 30% of the original mass remains, it still needs to be landfilled, and is still a waste of resources.

The creation of compost from organic household waste helps the government achieve its target of recycling 33% of all domestic waste by 2015 . Individual households can help reach this target by either making their own compost or by participating in a centralised community scheme. In 2003 - 2004 compostable waste was the most popular material collected for recycling, making up 30% of recyclables collected. The success of both home composting and centralised schemes is dependent upon the separation of organic (putrescible) waste from other waste.

How to Compost

You can buy a compost bin or build your own. Compost bins are usually sold at DIY and gardening stores.

Build a compost bin by creating a frame out of wood and attach it to the ground using posts.

Your compost bin should be able to hold about 200-300 litres, try and use a bin with a lid to keep out the rain.

The compost bin should be placed in a well-lit and well-drained area of the garden.

Try and keep the compost bin out of the wind.

Improve drainage by breaking up the soil underneath the compost bin.

What to Compost

What to add to your compost pile:

• Hair and fur
• Shredded paper
• Straw and hay
• Animal bedding and sawdust
• Crushed egg shells
• Grass and plant cuttings
• Raw fruit and vegetable trimmings
• Teabags and coffee granules
• Horse manure
• Leaves

What not to add to your compost pile:

• Meat or fish
• Coal Ash
• Animal waste
• Nappies and used tissues
• Dairy products
• Cooked foods
• Coloured or treated paper
• Chemically treated wood
• Diseased plants
• Persistent weeds