You may also be surprised at how much of the content of your bin can be composted at home. Fruit and vegetable peelings, paper and card, and garden waste are all compostable.

The YNYWP are able to offer help and assistance with composting, and have a team of enthusiastic and fully trained volunteers called the Rotters. To find out more about the work of the Rotters,click here.

How to use your compost bin

Starting composting is easy. Getting good quality compost from your bin is about putting the right combination of ingredients in (almost like a recipe). Compost bins need a 50:50 mix of “green” and “brown” waste.

Greens are nitrogen rich and quick to rot. They provide your compost with moisture.

• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Tea bags
• Plant prunings
• Grass cuttings

Browns are slower to rot down in your compost bin, but provide your bin with fibre and carbon. They also allow air pockets to form in the mixture.

• Shredded newspaper
• Crushed egg shells
• Vacuum cleaner dust
• Vegetarian pet bedding
• Wood ash
• Fallen leaves

To produce good compost you need the right mix of greens, browns and air. To introduce air into your compost bin add scrunched up cardboard and paper. Cardboard egg boxes are an easy way to add air to your bin.

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).
• Replenishing pots by removing the top layer of existing soil and replacing with freshly made compost.
• Feeding your lawn by mixing with sand and spreading a thin layer of about 2.5cm over the lawn.
• Healthy herbs and vegetables by simply adding compost around the base of the plants.