Home Composting
Composting food scraps at home is a great way of helping the environment, with the added benefit
of producing a free soil conditioner for your garden. The compost produced can be mixed with
your soil to add nutrients and improve the structure of the soil.
Instead of filling your dustbin with rotting food and garden waste, which can produce unpleasant
odours, the waste can be put to good use. Composting doesn't just improve your garden, but
benefits the wider environment too.
How does it work?
An effective compost bin provides an excellent environment for a variety of life. Bacteria, fungi and
microscopic organisms share the bin with larger creepy-crawlies, such as, beetles, ants and
millipedes. They all play their part in transforming the waste matter into a rich soil enhancer. Many
people use a specially designed compost bin, whilst others prefer to use a compost heap.
Compost heaps can be as large or small as you like. Larger compost heaps or those that are well
insulated allow hot composting, which means that weeds and seeds are 'cooked' to stop them
from spreading. It can also kill plant diseases and pathogens. Large compost heaps need lots of
material to work properly, so are not suitable for everyone.
Compost bins come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, but are usually small and 'Dalek'
shaped. Residents in Leicestershire can purchase a bin at a discounted rate. Compost bins are
small and therefore suitable only for cool composting. This means that pernicious weeds, seeds
and diseases will not be killed off. For most people this is not a problem, and a compost bin
represents the most convenient and easy way to compost most garden waste and certain food
scraps.
What can I put in my bin?
The key to an effective compost bin is getting the balance between 'greens' and 'browns' right.
Greens
Grass cuttings
Tea bags
Fruit scraps
Vegetable peelings
Browns
Dry leaves
Scrunched up newspaper
Garden prunings
Egg and cereal boxes
The green items contain bacteria and moisture to help kick-start the composting process. Too
many greens in the compost bin will make the waste too moist and stop air from circulating
amongst the compost. Not only will this slow the composting process down, but it could lead to
unpleasant odours. If your bin is sludgy or contains lots of damp clumps, you need to add more
browns and ensure the compost is well ventilated.
Browns tend to be drier and contain plenty of nitrogen, vital to high quality compost. Compost bins
with too many browns provide a great home for ants and woodlice, but tend to compost very
slowly. Add a few extra greens to the mix to speed-up the composting process.
The ideal compost bin will contain a balance of greens and brown, and will be home to a mix of
creepy-crawlies. The mixture will be slightly moist and contain air pockets.
What cannot go in a compost bin?
The following should never be put in a compost bin as it may lead to unpleasant odours or
encourage pests.
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Cooked food
Meat
Dairy products
Diseased plants
Pet faeces
Nappies
Anything which does not biodegrade (e.g. plastic, glass, metals)
How else can I dispose of my garden waste?
If you have too much garden waste to home compost, or you do not have a garden you can make
use of one of the county's Recycling and Household Waste Sites, which will compost the waste for
you. Alternatively, you can participate in your district collection scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add meat to my compost bin?
No- meat may attract animals and pests, as may dairy products. Animal faeces and nappies
should also be kept out of the bin.
Where should I site my compost bin?
The best site for your bin is in a partially sunny area of the garden, preferably on well-drained land.
This allows creatures like worms to enter the bin easily, whilst allowing excess water to drain
away.
Will the compost bin attract vermin and pests?
Sometimes vermin are attracted to a bin, looking for food or a place to shelter. The best deterrent
is to place the bin on a base of chicken wire. A more common occurrence is fruit flies- small flies
which lay their eggs on the surface of fruit.
Will it smell?
Composting should produce only a rich earthy smell. If a sharp ammonia smell is produced it is
usually due to too much grass and not enough paper. Add some shredded paper and mix in to get
it smelling sweet again.
Why are there flies in my bin?
The small flies often found in compost bins are Fruit flies and are completely harmless. To
discourage them, add a layer of soil to cover the bin contents. When the material is covered they
will disappear in a day or so. There is no need to add soil every time you add material, just do it
when the Fruit flies appear.
What can I do with waste food that cannot be added to the compost bin?
An alternative to a compost bin is a Green Cone, which is similar in appearance to a compost bin,
but doesn't produce compost. They can accept all food waste, even meat and bones!