Home composting

home composting

Reducing your waste

Home composting

The Council encourages composting of organic waste. Compost takes approximately six months to break down for use. You can add most garden materials to a composter but not meat, fish, bread, vegetables, diseased plants or perennial weeds. Hard wood materials should not be used either. Good materials include lawn mowings, prunings, bedding plants, hedge trimmings, leaves and straw.  Compost breaks down into humus which contains microscopic bacteria. This can then be used as a mulch or dug into the soil. The compost acts as a complete soil fertilizer.

What is a composter?

Composters are recycled plastic bins for the garden. Waste deposited in a composter prevents odour you would normally find in your bin. All composters have a lid and hatch. See details of our special offer to buy a composter.

Why compost?

The majority of waste is disposed of in landfill sites throughout the country. The Council is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill sites, in accordance with the National Waste Strategy 2000. This specifies that we must recycle or compost 30% of household waste by 2010. The Government has also set the target of ensuring that 40% of households with a garden compost by 2001. As a council we are dependant upon the help and support of our residents to enable these targets to be met.

Did you know that 20% of the average household dustbin is comprised of organic material?

Organic waste is biodegradable and when it is buried in landfill sites it rots and produces methane gas. Methane gas can escape into buildings near landfill sites and lead to explosions. It is not necessary to send organic waste to landfill sites as it can be converted into a useful product by householders. Compost bins can be purchased which convert food waste and other organic material into compost. Composting is one of the Best Practicable Environmental Options for the reduction of waste to landfill. It is possible to reduce 20% of the waste in a bin without causing any environmental damage. This is more environmentally friendly than recycling as no energy input is required for transport or in the recycling process.

How to get the best results from your compost bin

Where is the best place to put a compost bin?

For the best results from your compost bin it should be positioned in a sunny spot on well drained soil. The soil below the bin should be loosened to improve drainage and increase access for worms and bacteria. Place a few inches of kitchen waste on the soil at the bottom of the bin, this will attract worms and bacteria to the bin and increase the rate of compost formation. For the best results, organic waste should be put in the bin in layers of different material between 6cm and 12cm deep.

What can I put in my composter?

You can compost almost anything that is organic, i.e. anything that has been grown. This includes:

  • fruit and vegetable scraps
  • tea bags, coffee grounds
  • crushed egg shells
  • grass cuttings, prunings and leaves
  • small amounts of shredded paper and soft cardboard
  • animal hair
  • vacuum dust (only if you have woollen carpets)
  • bedding from vegetarian pets.

The following items cannot be put into your composter

  • cat or dog excrement
  • meat
  • cheeses
  • fish
  • disposable nappies
  • shiny card
  • hard objects.

For best results, ensure your compost bin contains some grass cuttings or vegetarian animal manure. This heats up and speeds up the composting process. However, it should be mixed with other organic waste to avoid slime formation.It is essential that your compost bin is kept warm and moist. Placing the bin in the sun and out of the wind is therefore preferable. Ensure you always put the lid on your compost bin and do not let the compost dry out.

To ensure that air is getting to the centre of the bin, turn the material regularly. This will also speed up the decomposition process.

How do you know when the compost is ready?

Your compost is ready for use when the material does not resemble anything that you put in the bin. Collect the compost from the small hatch at the bottom of the bin. The compost can then be spread on the garden where it will act as a fertiliser.

For more information please visit the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's website www.wiltshirewildlife.org (Opens in new window)

What can I do with my food waste?

Compost bins can only take certain food items, such as fruit and veggie peelings. However there is a marvellous green gadget called a Food Waste Digester which can take all your raw and cooked food waste. For more details, please visit the Food Waste Digesters page.