Why compost at home?
In landfill sites, organic waste such as garden and kitchen waste rots alongside everything else, creating methane, a greenhouse gas ten times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
There is a better way! Both garden and kitchen waste can be composted at home. A compost bin provides a well-balanced, moisture-controlled mix, resulting in a wonderful soil improver for your garden - for free! Not only do you gain from this compost, but by composting your waste at home you are also recycling a large proportion of the things that you might otherwise throw away.
How can I get involved?
We can offer low-cost compost bins and accessories.
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The Compost Converter 220 is the lowest priced bin on offer at just £13.50. Ideal for a smaller garden, it features:
- Free delivery
- Capacity 220 litres
- Height 90cm x Depth 74cm
- No assembly required
- Sliding hatch for easy access to compost
- Made from 100% recycled plastic.
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At a cost of £16.50, the Compost Converter 330 is a standard sized compost bin which offers:
- Free delivery
- Capacity 330 litres
- Height 100cm x Depth 80cm
- No assembly required
- Sliding hatch for easy access to compost
- Made from 100% recycled plastic. |
What else is available?
There is a great range of products and accessories, such as kitchen caddies, water butts and wooden compost bins at discount prices. Delivery is free on all items.
Find out more.
How to place your order
There are two easy ways to place your order:
How to make great compost
See an overview of the composting process.
Composting is easy but you do need to get the ingredients right for the fastest results. It's all a question of balance, with what can be termed 'Greens and Browns'.
The 'Greens': break down quickly and keep things moist. They produce nitrogen, a harmless plant food. 'Greens' include vegetable peelings, fruit scraps, tea leaves, teabags, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, grass cuttings, annual plants and flowers, hedge clippings and most weeds.
The 'Browns': give your compost its fibre and structure. They are rich in carbon and also create air pockets, giving important air circulation to your mix. 'Browns' include straw and hay, wood chippings and sawdust, egg boxes, old perennial plants, shredded paper and cardboard, shredded or chopped wood prunings, leaves, feathers and bedding from pet cages.
Always avoid: cooked vegetables, meat, bones, cheese and dairy products, diseased roots or plants, large unchopped woody branches, cat or dog litter, disposable nappies, plastic, glass, metal, coal or coke ash.
When you've started your composting, place a piece of cardboard or bubble-wrap on the top of the pile. This will act as an insulator, controlling temperature and stopping the compost drying out too much. The compost worms will thank you by working effectively to transform your waste.
Where should I put my compost bin?
It's best to ensure that your compost bin is not too far away in your garden, so it's easy to get to. Place your bin directly onto the ground - not on concrete or patio slabs, which will stop worms entering the bin. Compost worms live naturally in your garden and are central to speeding up the process.
Your bin needs to be not too hot (which will dry it out in the summer) and not too cold (which will discourage worms and micro-organisms from acting effectively). So not too much sun and not too much shade are key.
How long will it take to make my own compost?
It takes a while. You can add organic activators, if you wish, to kick-start your compost but in normal circumstances the whole process can take anything from six to eighteen months, depending on what you put in your bin. You can feed your bin throughout the year. When the day comes to open your bin, you'll find dark brown or black compost at the bottom of the bin.
Common composting questions
"My bin is a bit smelly"
It's probably too wet or you may have put in too much of one material - commonly grass cuttings, but always something that's 'Green'. Leave the lid off in dry weather so excess moisture can evaporate. Remove some grass if there's a lot in there. Add some 'Browns' to balance the compost.
"It's taking quite a while"
Your bin is probably too cold. Leave the lid on and move it to a sunnier position if possible (not full sun as that may dry the contents too thoroughly on hot summer days). It could be too dry, so add a bit of water and mix in some 'Greens', or it could be gasping for air. Loosen it up with a fork and mix in a balance of new 'Green' and 'Brown' material.
"I think I've seen a rat!"
Probably some meat or fat has got into your bin. Removing this, and ensuring that nothing else similar goes in there, should solve the problem. Bang the bin with a stick as you pass by regularly. That might sound strange but would you like to live in a noisy place? Neither would a rat!
"I get a swarm of fruit flies when I open the lid"
Some insects are needed in your bin as part of the natural processes but swarms indicate an imbalance. Usually there is too much 'Green' stuff in there (not surprisingly, lots of fruit waste such as apple and orange peelings may be the culprit). Try a covering of 'Browns' and bring the balance back into your bin.
How can I get further help with Home Composting?
For advice, or to book a visit from one of WRAP's Home Composting Advisors, call 0845 600 0323 or visit the Recycle Now website.
If you would like to come and speak to someone about your home composting queries why not visit us at the Epsom Farmers' Market at Epsom Market Square, High Street, Epsom (from 9am to 2pm) on the first Sunday of each month.
PartnerCHIP
PartnerCHIP has been founded to help solve the problems of waste in Epsom & Ewell. PartnerCHIP wants much more of our garden waste to stay in Epsom & Ewell, and be used as compost or mulch in people's own gardens. PartnerCHIP offers composting help, and on-line compost problem solver and shredder hire.
You can also speak to PartnerCHIP at the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Home Composting Display at each Epsom Farmers' Market, held from 9am to 2pm each first Sunday of the month at Epsom Market Square, High Street, Epsom. We even have a demonstration home compost heap to show you how easy it can be.
PartnerCHIP can be contacted at:
40 Woodlands Road
Epsom
Surrey
KT18 7HW
Telephone 07917 066 658.
