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Composting Basics

A guide to home composting
Each week we put out our bins full of paper, card ,plastics and vegetable waste and rely on the local authority to take it away. How many really think about what happens to it, the financial costs and all the other problems it may cause. Fuel emissions leading to climate change, health problems, leachates that may pollute water sources and kill wildlife, depletion of our natural material and destruction of wildlife habitats. We all of add to the problem but we can take our role in lessening the burden on the environment by eliminating our kitchen waste from our bins.

The simplest, easiest and cheapest solution is to treat your waste at source especially kitchen and garden waste. By using a home compost bin you’ll be amazed too see your bin content reduce in size. Climate changing gases such as methane, and leachate, bin collections, fuel emissions will all benefit from our participation. You will also produce a FREE quality soil enhancer, remove the need for chemical fertilizers and protect the valuable peat habitats from being destroyed.

What is composting
Composting in natures process of turning dead organic waste such as vegetable matter back into food for plants. It is a natural process where bacteria and fungi, worms, beetles etc break down the matter and turns it into a nutrient rich material. If this process never took place the countryside would be littered with dead plants and creatures.

What and how to compost
Nearly everything that once lived can be composted. The decomposers love a varied diet and needs a good supply of air and moisture. There are two types of ingredients to incorporate into your bin, They are GREEN and BROWN materials. Green materials are high in nitrogen includes food and garden waste, manure, tea and coffee grounds. Brown materials are high in carbon and include paper, sawdust, dead leaves, wood ash and coffee filters and tea bags. A simple rule to follow is to try and use a half green and half brown mixture but remember the most important factor is the removal of this material from the waste stream.

Environmental Benefits through home composting

• You will be amazed at how much space you now have in your bin . Up to 30% of the content is usually kitchen waste.
• Less need to put your bin out for collection. Financial savings which could be better spent elsewhere.
• Reduced fuel emissions through having your bin emptied less frequently.
• Reduce climate changing gases such as methane. Produced when organic matter does not break down naturally in a landfill site.
• Reduce leachate liquid. This can pollute our water courses when washed out from landfill sites.
• Using less peat based compost will protect rich and diverse wildlife habitats from destruction.
• Reducing the need for chemicals and artificial fertilizers will protect your soil and wildlife.
• Increases the life span of existing landfill sites therefore reducing the need for more.
  
  
  

  To help even more, pass the word around on recycling and composting to your neighbours and friends.
  

Getting Started
First put in a good layer of grass cuttings, roughly 6 inches, but it is not an exact science. This will generate heat up to 60 degrees enabling the bacteria to start working. Then add your kitchen waste, a little waste paper, any shredded woody clippings along with other suitable material( see list below). After the pile begins to cool worms and larger insects will takeover and break the material down further. The mixtures of material will ensure there is a balanced diet with enough air and moisture suitable for the busy creatures. It is always best to add large amounts at a time to maintain heat but this obviously depends on the amount available . Once you have your heap it is best to have it turned at least once a month to ensure a good air supply. Continue to add your kitchen waste as it is produced adding an activator, like grass to help maintain the heat. You are then on course into producing a quality soil enhancer, which can take up to one year, along with contributing towards a cleaner environment.

Benefits from producing your own home made compost

A free soil enhancer will improve the richness, structure, texture
and aeration of your soil and reduce the use of chemicals.
Mulch will prevent weed growth, retain moisture and give nutrients
to your plants. Potting soil for house plants, window boxes and hanging baskets
will all benefit from your compost.
Gardening is relaxing and helps relieve stress

Here are a few problems that may
prevent your compost heap working

Problem	Solution
Slimy or smelly (ammonia)	Too much moisture and not enough air. Add shredded woody material or paper. Protect from rain.( an old carpet on top will do)
Not heating up (this slows down the Process)	Too dry or not enough green material. Add more grass and add some water.
Too much bulky wood.	Avoid putting in large items. Shred or chop hedge clippings first. Make habitat piles in your garden corners to get rid of bulky items.
Cooling too fast	heap too small. Add more material, use neighbours if need be and insulate( old carpets will be okay)
No more space in your bin.	Too much grass or leaves. Save for next year or use as a natural mulch for flower or vegetable plots