Compost bins

Compost bins to recycle household waste

There has never been a better time to take up home composting.

Many UK local authorities either have or are now looking at cutting the frequency of refuse collection. The government are also considering proposals to allow a charge for the weight of waste we put out for collection. As unfair as some might perceive a potential bin tax to be, there is a need to take some environmental action to prevent problems caused by landfill. All factors considered, this should be a great incentive for all of us to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible. Home composting can play a significant role in this.

Approximately a third of the average household waste can be composted. For example this includes, but is not limited to

• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Teabags
• Cardboard and newspaper
• Garden waste
• Cooked food & scraps (with a kitchen composter)

For more details check out our guide to compost bin materials

Quick, clean and odourless

Using the appropriate methods means that household waste can be coverted to compost quickly, efficiently and in an odourless way. There is a choice of home compost devices suitable for either outdoor or in kitchen use.

Garden compost bins

Composting Waste A garden compost bin is a simple device which can either be home made or purchased very cheaply. It needs to perfom three simple tasks. It must adequately contain the waste in a single area, prevent the composted materials from being too wet / too dry and also ensure that the materials are well ventilated. Such conditions should ensure that the correct amount of heat is generated to enable the composting process to take place

For information on how to get the most from and effectively manage your compost, refer to our guide on composting

Kitchen composters

Kitchen composters, unlike traditional garden compost bins, can also process cooked food and scraps. These are more sophisticated devices and they tend to work in one of two ways. Either they actively compost the waste materials, or they contain the waste within an inner removable biodegradable bag which can then be put onto your garden compost heap, once full.

Benefits of home composting

• Free source of nutrients for gardens / window boxes
• Less need for land fill
• Reduction in greenhouse gasses. If kitchen & garden waste breaks down in a landfill, harmful methane is produced
• Saves the Earth's natural resources by reducing the need for peat taken from endangered habitats
• Possible savings in future charges for refuse disposal