Recycling

Composters

Frequently asked questions about Composters.

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.

Home composting

Home Composting is a great benefit for making your own compost which also reduces waste. It helps improve the soil structure, preventing erosion and retains the soil's water holding capacity. All of this helps contribute to a better root development and a healthy flourishing garden.

Why compost?

The majority of waste is disposed of in landfill sites throughout the country. We are 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 has 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.

Did you know that 20% of the average household dustbin is comprised of organic material.

Organic (natural) waste is biodegradable and when it is buried in landfill sites it rots and produces methane gas. Methane gas can escape into buildings near landfill sites and lead to explosions. 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.

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 centimetres deep.

What can I put in my Composter?

You can compost almost anything that is organic, in other words anything that has been grown. This includes:

Fruit and vegetable scraps
Tea bags, coffee grounds
Crushed egg shells
Grass cuttings, prunings and leaves
Small amounts of shredded paper and soft cardboard
Animal hair
Vacuum dust (only if you have woollen carpets)

The following cannot be put into your Composter

Cat or dog excrement
Meat
Cheeses
Fish
Disposable nappies
Shiny card
Hard objects

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.

It is essential that your compost bin is kept warm and moist. Placing the bin in the sun and out of the wind is therefore preferable. Ensure you always put the lid on your compost bin and do not let the compost dry out.

To ensure that air is getting to the centre of the bin, turn the material regularly. This will also speed up the decomposition process.

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.

If you would like to get in touch with us please contact us at Barking and Dagenham Direct.

For further details or to order a bin then please either visit the Recycle Now website or telephone 0845 076 0223.