Limerick City Council’s Compost Champion is Mr Joe Harte. A father of four, Joe lives on
the northside of the city and has been composting for over 10 years.
Why do you Compost?
To reduce the amount of household waste going to landfill (and thereby reducing my bin
charges) and to provide a free source of organic compost for my garden. And for the great
satisfaction in making your own compost and using it in the garden.
What type of composter have you?
I started off with one standard compost bin a few years ago and then now I have three. One bin I
add to daily, one bin is actively composting away and the third bin I use as compost store and
take compost from it as needed.
What materials do you put in the composter?
Kitchen fruit and vegetable leftovers. Leaves, some grass and other bits and pieces that grow
around the garden. I add some loose pages of newspaper and small amounts of cardboard. I find
the secret is to add a good variety of materials in layers but not too much of any one material at a
time.
What is the ratio of food and garden waste you put into the composter?
No real ratio - I just add to it as the waste arises. Its probably around 75% kitchen and 25%
garden.
Where is the composter located in your garden?
The compost bins are located not far from the kitchen door. I have them close to the kitchen so
that they are convenient and hassle free to use.
Can you give a little information on your location etc?
We live in a semi-detached house in Limerick City with a medium sized garden front and rear.
How many people live fulltime in the house. Do you cook at home each day or eat out?
There are two adults and 4 kids in the house, although the eldest is in college and comes and
goes. We cook at home most days and eat out sometimes.
Have you had problems with your composting system?
Not recently. I had a problem with potatoes growing in the bin once. It was a nuisance to dig them
out before the stems started to take over the bin.
Have you had problems with rodents? If so how did you overcome the difficulty?
I am always conscious of the compost bins attracting rats. The mesh at the base of the bin does a
good job but to help avoid the problem in the first place I never put cooked food waste in the bin.
This would definitely draw rats.
What do you do with grass cuttings and hedge trimmings?
Most of the grass cuttings go as a mulch under trees and bushes. A very, very small amount of
grass goes into the compost bin but I know too much will end up as a sticky slime. It would slow
down the whole process and would not make good compost. I have a small shredder for hedge
trimmings and small branches. The shredded material is used as cover/weed control around
shrubs.
Do you have any problems with flies?
There are some flies in the bins around June/July but they are not a problem.
When, and for what purpose, do you use your finished compost?
The compost is used in flower beds and hanging baskets. I have started to grow a few vegetables
and it is used there as a soil enhancer.
Do you have any other measures for managing household waste?
The 'Opti-bag' for small general recyclables and the local recycling centre for bottles, cans,
textiles, electrical waste etc, and large garden waste such as tree pruning/branches.
What are your top tips for people starting a home composting system?
Talk to a couple of people who make their own compost and learn from them. Start with a
standard plastic compost bin available from the local authority or local garden centre. Locate the
bin reasonably close to the house for convenience. Have a small kitchen caddy/bin for the
vegetable/fruit leftovers. Use a variety of waste in small quantities at a time. Just make it a habit
to use the compost bin - you'd be surprised how much waste it can take.
Tips for people to reduce waste?
Bring your own 'long-life' bags when shopping. Donate books, toys clothes etc to charity shops.
Use a battery charger and use recyclable batteries. Drink tap water in preference to bottled water.
Get the kids into the habit of reducing waste and recycling.