Over 40% of the contents of an average UK household bin can be home composted, yet many people are still binning this fantastic resource.
Composting also keeps food scraps out of the waste bin, leaving your kitchen smelling nicer, and reduces incidents of seagulls and foxes ripping up bin bags while searching for food.
If you have a garden or outside space where you can grow food or decorative plants, homemade compost can give your plants an extra boost. Have a look on this page to see if you could start making it yourself. If not, check out our community composting page to join a scheme in your area.
Get composting at home
A common solution is a ‘Dalek’ (see pictured) or a ‘Green Johanna’ style composting bin. Alternatively, you can build your own compost bin if you like a bit of DIY.
You may choose to lay some heavy-duty wire mesh to prevent rats from burrowing up underneath, though not every site may need this. The bins will need to be placed on grass. Follow our composting guide for handy tips on what to include and exclude, and how to reduce smells and flies.
Space-saving composting
If you lack garden space, a wormery can be placed on a patio or balcony instead of grass. They are slightly more specific in how they are managed in comparison to a typical compost bin. Make sure to follow instructions from your supplier to avoid citrus. Other tips to remember are to drain the liquid and keep warm in the winter.
Indoor composting
Similar to the above, however some models of wormeries are suitable for indoor use. For those of you without a garden think outhouse, kitchen, shed or another suitable indoor space.
Alternative composting schemes
Compost Club offer a paid collection service for household food waste. They are a great local business, with heaps of knowledge about soil and worms and with ethics at their heart.
Make Soil is a website that connects ‘Soil Makers’ (people who make compost) with ‘Soil Supporters’ (people who donate their scraps). Sign up and join their global movement or start up a ‘Soil Site’ of your own.
