Kitchen waste

While much of the waste generated in the kitchen is compostable, it is no longer suitable for commercial composting.

This is because of the Animal By-Products Regulations, which tightened the rules on the processing, use, disposal, trade and import of animal by-products.

These were introduced as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, with the intention of preventing the spread of diseases such as e-coli and salmonella.

The safest way of ensuring that commercial compost, produced from household green waste, meets these regulations is to ban all kitchen waste from the green bin. This has been in effect from 1 April 2007.

However, some kitchen waste can still be composted through a home composter.

Home composters can be used to recycle both ‘green’ and ‘brown’ waste - so garden rubbish such as grass cuttings and prunings can be mixed with kitchen scraps, scrunched up thin cardboard and shredded paper.

If you do home compost, you should: Make sure the items you include have not been in contact with meat, fish, dairy products or cooked foods Ensure that the compost is well rotted before use Always avoid touching the compost with bare hands

To find out about getting a home composter, click here.