Home Composting
25% of waste produced in Maidstone is made up
of material that can be composted.
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. Not
only does it reduce the amount of rubbish in your bin, it also
benefits you by providing a rich compost to help improve soil
condition and reduce the need for peat based products.
Getting the best compost is all about the mix:
a roughly even mixture of greens and browns is best. Green material
will help provide nutrients to your plants and the brown material
will help the structure of the soil.
Wet Green
Materials
- Raw fruit and vegetable
peelings
- Old
flowers/plants
- Tea
bags
- Coffee grounds and filter
paper
- Grass
cuttings
- Rabbit/guinea pig/gerbil/hamster
bedding
-
Weeds
Dry Brown Materials
- Dead leaves
- Twigs
- Sawdust
- Torn up cardboard
- Scrunched up paper
- Shredded paper
- Egg shells
How does composting work
Organic waste is rotted down through the
activity of microbes and bacteria. They need the right levels
of moisture and air to make good compost.
Air – Ensure that air can
reach the entire content of the bin. You may have to turn it
or stick a garden fork in it to push it back and forth to clear a
central vent every couple of weeks.
Moisture – The contents of
the bin should be moist at all times so you may have to add water
from time to time. Keep the lid on as you don’t want it to be
too wet!
Heat – The compost should get
quite hot, which simply means that the bacteria is doing its
job!
Where can I buy a compost bin?
Recycle for Kent is now a partner in the Recycle Now Home
Composting Campaign led by WRAP (Waste Resources Action
Programme). Residents living in Kent can now buy
a compost bin at a discounted price, delivery is
free.
Compost Converter (220 litre bin) £17
Compost Converter (330 litre bin) £20
Komp
250 (250
litre bin) £40
Kitchen
Caddy
£ 4*
*When you purchase a bin
You can order your compost bin by calling 0845 077 0757, quoting
reference HCA2, or order online at www.recyclenow.com/compost
Alternatively, you can buy home composters and other food waste
digestion schemes such as wormeries, Green Cones and Bokashi Bins
from your local DIY store.
Where should I put my compost bin
You should place your compost bin somewhere in easy reach and
preferably on soil which allows earthworms in to help ventilate the
compost.