Composting

The Hertfordshire WasteAware partnership is working with Recycle Now Home Composting Campaign to provide bargain compost bins to Hertfordshire residents.

The composters are available from as little as £14. To find out more and to order your bin visit www.recyclenow.com/compost

What is a Composter?

Composters are recycled plastic bins for the garden. Waste deposited in a composter prevents odour you would normally find in your bin. All composters have a lid and hatch.

Why Compost?

The majority of waste is disposed of in landfill sites throughout the country. The council is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill sites, in accordance with the National Waste Strategy 2000. The Strategy specifies that we must recycle or compost 30% of household waste by 2010. The government also set the target of ensuring that 40% of households with a garden compost by 2001. As a council we are dependant upon the help and support of our residents to enable these targets to be met.

Kitchen and garden waste accounts for about 1/3 of rubbish produced by an average household - Most of this can be composted. By composting at home you can help to reduce the over 500,000 tonnes of household rubbish that is produced in Hertfordshire every year.

It is the organic part of waste that causes the production of gas at landfill sites. This gas, largely made of methane is released into the atmosphere and contributes towards global warming. As the material rots it also produces leachate, a polluting liquid that can seep into rivers. It is not necessary to send organic waste to landfill sites as it can be converted into a useful product by householders.

Compost bins can be purchased which convert food waste and other organic material into compost. Composting is one of the Best Practicable Environmental Options for the reduction of waste to landfill.

• It is possible to reduce 20% of the waste in a bin without causing any environmental damage. This is more environmentally friendly than recycling as no energy input is required for transport or in the recycling process.
• By composting you can produce a supply of free, naturally produced and environmentally friendly soil conditioner. This is ideal for digging in, mulching and potting mixes.
• Home made compost can be used as a substitute for peat. This helps to preserve natural peat bogs, which take thousands of years to form.
• Compost is a complete and natural food for your soil. It improves structure, water retention and overall health.

How to get the best results from your compost bin

Where is the best place to put a compost bin?

For the best results from your compost bin it should be positioned in a sunny spot on well drained soil. The soil below the bin should be loosened to improve drainage and increase access for worms and bacteria. Place a few inches of kitchen waste on the soil at the bottom of the bin, this will attract worms and bacteria to the bin and increase the rate of compost formation. For the best results, organic waste should be put in the bin in layers of different material between 6 12 cm deep.

What can I put in my Composter?

Fill your composter with items from the `GOOD' list below. A composter works better when large amounts of material are added together. For best results, ensure your compost bin contains some grass cuttings or vegetarian animal manure. They heat up and speed up the composting process. However they should be mixed with other organic waste to avoid slime formation.

GOOD:

• Straw and hay animal bedding
• Grass cuttings
• Prunings and trimmings
• Old plants and flowers
• Chicken/pigeon/horse manure
• Raw fruit and vegetables
• Egg shells
• Tea and tea bags
• Small amounts of leaves

BAD:

• Meat and fish
• Coal ash
• Dog and cat mess
• Nappies

HOT HEAPS ONLY:

• Diseased plants and weeds
• Persistent weeds

Activators

Small amounts of manure and bedding from a range of vegetarian livestock and pets will act as a natural activator and speed up the process. Certain plants such as nettles also help. Commercially produced activators can be purchased from local garden suppliers.

Speeding up your composter

• Chop or shred tough stems or prunings
• Turn the heap occasionally
• Cover it in the winter with carpet or other insulating material to keep the heat in.
• Add large amounts of material at a time. This will help to generate heat, which speeds up the process.

How your composter works

The composting process has two main stages. Firstly bacteria, fungi & micro-organisms break down the softer waste, causing the heap to heat up to in excess of 60°C. When these have done their work, the heap cools down and worms, insects and other small creatures take over to start breaking down the tougher material. After about three months your compost should be ready, although it may take longer during the colder winter months.

How do you know when the compost is ready?

Your compost is ready for use when the material does not resemble anything that you put in the bin. Collect the compost from the small hatch at the bottom of the bin. The compost can then be spread on the garden where it will act as a fertiliser.

How can I get one?

Commercially produced compost bins can be purchased from a variety of stores and garden centres. They are made of a variety of materials and vary in price, style and size.

Composters are available at reduced prices to Hertfordshire residents through WasteAware.

Make sure that the composter you buy is big enough, 200-300 litres is sufficient for average gardens, but larger bins are available.

A composter should have a lid to keep out the rain and should be sturdy enough to stand up to life in the garden.

Problem solver

Environmental Services
Stevenage Borough Council
Daneshill House
Danestrete
Stevenage
Herts
SG1 1HN

email: wastewizard@stevenage.gov.uk
Tel:  0800 0527007
Fax: (01438) 242434