Home composting using a traditional bin or heap is an easy way to reduce the amount of waste that you put into your rubbish bin by at least a third, and you can produce your own compost.

Getting Started

Good quality compost can be achieved by putting in the correct combination of browns and greens.  Compost bins need a 50:50 mix of "green" and "brown" waste.

Greens are soft, moist, nitrogen rich materials that provide the fuel for the composting process and include:

• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Tea bags
• Plant pruning's
• Grass cuttings
• Cut flowers

Browns are dry, fibrous, carbon rich material that provide air and structure to the composting process and include:

• Shredded newspaper
• Crushed egg shells
• Vacuum cleaner dust
• Vegetarian pet bedding
• Wood ash
• Dry leaves and twigs
• Tumble dryer lint

Using your compost

You can use your compost: 

• To enrich your borders by spreading a 5cm layer of compost over the existing soil, or digging the compost into the soil before planting.
• On flowerbeds by digging a 10cm layer of compost into the soil before planting
• As mulch (compost which is not fully broken down) by adding a layer of about 5cm over your flowerbeds
• Around trees by spreading a 5-10cm layer around the roots (not too close to the base of the tree)
• To replenish pots by removing the top layer of existing soil and replacing with freshly made compost
• To feed your lawn by mixing with sand and spreading a thin layer of about 2.5cm over the lawn.
• To feed herbs and vegetables by simply adding compost around the base of the plants.

Low cost compost bins now available

Compost bins are now available for residents in York and North Yorkshire to purchase. 220 litre garden king compost bins are available for £15 including delivery. 330 litre garden king compost bins are available for £17 including delivery.

Green Johannas that can deal with cooked and uncooked food waste as well as garden waste will be available at £59.

To purchase a compost bin or green Johanna please visit www.greencone.com

Greencone also offer other products that can deal with kitchen and garden waste. These include green cones, a range of wormeries, bokashi units and kitchen caddies for collecting kitchen waste. To find out more about the range of units available, or to purchase a unit visit www.greencone.com.

North Yorkshire Rotters

We have a team of master composters called the Rotters who can provide help and assistance to you if you want to know more about composting or are experiencing problems with your compost. The Rotters are fully trained volunteers who offer advice on composting and reducing your food and garden waste. For advice or to become a volunteer,  telephone 01609 532045 or email nyrotters@northyorks.gov.uk. For more details on the Rotters visit www.letstalklessrubbish.com.

Reduce your food waste even further

You can also deal with cooked or processed food waste at home and slim your bin even further.

There are many ways to deal with your cooked food waste within your own home or garden which, when combined with home composting could eliminate food waste from your rubbish altogether. These include green cones, green johannas, wormeries and bokashi bins. To find out more information about them visit www.letstalklessrubbish.com.