What can be composted?

More than 30% of household waste can be composted at home. To get the best compost, it is best to add an equal mixture of greens and browns. It's easy to make and use.

Greens are wet items such as tea bags, vegetable peelings, grass and fruit. Browns are dry items such as leaves, dead plants, cardboard and paper.

Getting started with composting

You can buy discounted compost bins through WasteAware. To order your home compost bins and accessories visit Get Composting or phone the Home Compost Bin order line on 0844 571 4444.

Waste is expensive

In the UK we waste seven million tonnes of food and drink every year and around one third of all the food we buy ends up being thrown away. The average family could save as much as £60 per month which could total up to £700 per year just by being more aware of the food they are buying and cooking. Love Food Hate Waste provides further information as well as recipes.

How to save money

There are certain things you can do in your home to prevent waste.

• Write a shopping list to save you time and money.
• Check your cupboards and freezer before shopping.
• Use short dated food first and place them at the front in your cupboard and fridge.
• Most meals can be frozen and kept for a later date.
• Fruit (except bananas) can last much longer if kept in the fridge.
• Potatoes last longer if stored in a cool dark place.
• Cook only what you need (one cup of uncooked rice is enough for four people and 100g of uncooked pasta is enough for one adult).
• Cooked food can be recycled through your organic waste collection.
• Uncooked fruit and vegetables can be home composted.