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.
Of course, garden waste on its own can be recycled at the tip or using the Council's kerbside garden waste collection service.
But 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!
How can I get involved?
We are continuing to partner with WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) to offer a range of home composting bins and accessories at reduced prices.
In the last four years our subsidised bins have proved extremely popular and have resulted in around three and three-quarter million litres of composting capacity going into Epsom & Ewell's gardens!
What is on offer?
Due to a reduction in the amount of government subsidy available to us, prices for our home compost bins have increased slightly this year. However, delivery to your home remains FREE OF CHARGE. Please allow 28 days for delivery. The offer is limited to two compost bins per household, and to Surrey residents only.
| The Compost Converter 220 is our lowest price bin. It costs just £12 with FREE DELIVERY.
Ideal for a smaller garden, the Compost Converter 220 features:
- Capacity 220 litres
- Height 90cm x Depth 74cm
- No assembly required
- Sliding hatch
- Made from 100% recycled plastic |
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The Compost Converter 330 is available at just £15 with FREE DELIVERY.
A standard sized compost bin, the Compost Converter 330 features:
- Capacity 330 litres
- Height 100cm x Depth 80cm
- No assembly required
- Sliding hatch
- Made from 100% recycled plastic |
Making a welcome return to stock after a period of unavailability due to high demand is the Komp 250 compost bin. The Komp 250 has a number of excellent features making it robust and easy to use. It costs just £35 with FREE DELIVERY.
The Komp 250 features:
- Capacity 250 litres
- Height 105cm x Width 54cm x Depth 54cm
- Marbled green finish
- Fully opening front or sides
- Made from recycled carrier bags |
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Kitchen caddies
Make home composting easier with a kitchen caddy - don't trek out to the garden every time you peel an orange! In addition to compost bins, kitchen compost caddies are available from just £4 for a 5-litre caddy if purchased with a compost bin. Order your compost bin and kitchen caddy online.
How to place your order
There are two easy ways to place your order. In each case you will be asked for your details, including your postcode.
• Order online.
• Call our order line on 0845 077 0757 (quoting reference HCA2).
Please allow 28 days for delivery.
Handy composting accessories
A great range of handy composting accessories such as biodegradable caddy-liners, compost accelerators and aerators is also available online.
How to make great compost
See an animated 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, bubble-wrap or cardboard 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 microorganisms from acting effectively). So not too much sun and not too much shade are key. If you have an area of dappled shade, that would be ideal.
How long will it take to make my own compost?
It takes a little while. You can add organic activators, if you wish, to kick-start your bin, but in normal circumstances the whole process can take anything from 6 to 18 months, depending on what you put in your bin. You can happily 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's 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 redress the balance.
"It's taking quite a while"
Your bin is probably too cold. Leave the lid on and, if possible, move it to a sunnier position (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 place a noisy as that? 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 our home composting advisor, call us on 0845 600 0323 or click here.
If you would like to come and speak to someone about your home composting queries why not visit us at the Epsom Farmers' Market, held from 9am to 2pm each first Sunday of the month at Epsom Market Square, High Street, Epsom.
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, an 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.
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