Composting

Home composting

Home composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your food and garden waste into a valuable food for your garden.

Finished compost is great for using on flowerbeds, vegetable plots, and for mixing into planters. It can really make your garden and houseplants bloom.

Composting is a natural process carried out by millions of tiny creatures, most of which are too small to be seen with the naked eye. These creatures include microscopic bugs, fungi, insects and worms which breakdown your compostable matter into a crumbly soil like material.

Composting is cheap, it's easy to make, and it's even easier to use. Get composting today!

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Buying a compost bin

Buying a compost bin couldn't be simplier. 

We are currently working on the Recycle Now Home Composting Campaign which is a government funded scheme to encourage people to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill.  By being involved in this scheme means that Bristol residents will now be able to buy home composting bins and composting accessories at discounted prices.

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Compost converter 220

Small to medium sized gardens. The cost for this compost bin is £7, plus £5 delivery.

• Black
• 100% recycled plastic
• Hatch for easy access
• Height 90cm
• Diameter 74cm
• Capacity 222 litres

Order a compost online today

Call Recycle Now on 0845 077 0757 today to order your compost bin

 

 

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Komp 250

For small to medium gardens. The cost of this compost bin is £25, plus £5 delivery.

• Marbled green
• 100% recycled material
• Hinged lid
• Height 105 cm
• Diameter 54 cm
• Capacity 25 litres

Order a compost bin online today

Call Recycle Now on 0845 077 0757 today to order your compost bin.

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Compost Converter 330

Medium to large garden. The cost for this compost bin is £10, plus £5 delivery.

• Black
• 100% recycled plastic
• Hatch for easy access
• Height 90cm
• Diameter 74cm
• Capacity 222 litres

Order a compost online today

Call Recycle Now on 0845 077 0757 today to order your compost bin

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How to get started

Place your bin somewhere level and well drained, on soil or grass. This is so that excess liquid can drain out and worms can get in to start breaking down your waste.

Ideally, you should place it in a partially sunny spot, but don’t worry if you have to put it in the shade: your waste will still break down, but at a slower rate.

If you cannot place your bin on soil and you have to put it on a concrete or paved surface, add some healthy soil, compost or manure to introduce some micro-organisms and get the composting process started.

Make sure you can access your bin easily, and leave enough room to mix the waste and get the finished compost out.

Ensure your compost bin contains a balanced mix of materials and the right amount of moisture and air.

MATERIALS

BROWNS are dry, fibrous materials which are high in carbon. These include:

• Cardboard tubes
• Egg boxes
• Straw and hay
• Woody prunings (shredded / chopped)
• Old perennial plants

GREENS are soft, sappy materials with a high nitrogen and water content. They include:

• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Grass clippings
• Green prunings
• Annual plants
• Weeds
• Flowers
• Young hedge clippings
• Fruit / vegetable crop remains

You will get the best results by using a mixture of half BROWNS and half GREENS. Also remember that worms don’t have teeth, so to get good compost as quickly as possible, it is best to chop your material up into little pieces.

MOISTURE

It is important to get the moisture levels of your compost right. Too wet and the compost becomes slimy; too dry and the composting process will slow down and might even stop!

To test the moisture level, squeeze a handful of the composted material. Ideally it should feel about as damp as a wrung out sponge.

AIR

The tiny organisms that make your compost need air just like us. Introduce air into your bin either by using a garden fork to mix the material, or by adding more scrunched up paper and card, which will help to form air pockets.

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Things you should not put in your compost bin

The general rule is that anything that was once alive can be composted. However there are some things that are best not put in the bin, either because they will not rot down properly, or because they will create smells and attract pests:

• meat or fish
• dairy products
• cooked food
• cat and dog poo
• disposable nappies
• biscuits and bread
• diseased plants
• plastic, glass and metal
• coal ash
• Japanese knotweed

If you are still unsure whether or not something is suitable for your compost bin, Have a look at our composting frequently asked questions.

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Getting in to a composting rountine

Composting takes very little effort, all you need to do is add to your bin regularly and give it a stir occasionally to add some air. If the compost gets too dry, add more 'greens' or sprinkle it with some water. If it gets too wet add more scrunched–up paper and give it a stir. If you find it difficult to stir, add scrunched up paper or small cardboard items. This will ensure that you have air pockets in the bin.

Keep adding garden and kitchen waste to the top; the process begins in the middle and over time you'll have finished compost at the bottom of your compost bin ready for use in your garden.

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