Compost heap
Not all composting takes up this much space!

According to research done for Recycle Now’s Home Composting Campaign, a lack of space is one of the main reasons people give for not composting garden and household waste.

But is that really a problem, or just a perception? With so many composting options available, anyone with outside space – around 95 per cent of households – should be able to give it a go and divert large volumes of compostable waste from going to landfill and causing environmental problems there.

To demonstrate that time and space needn’t be an issue and to bust other myths about composting, Recycle Now has put together a beginners’ guide:

1. Heap or bin? A compost heap is perhaps one of the most traditional methods for composting. However, compost bins are now widely available and popular as they are simple to purchase, construct and use.

2. What type of bin is for me?
There are compost bins of all shapes and sizes, to suit your gardening needs.

  • Small garden? There are many alternative designs of compost bin to suit all garden needs such as beehive designs or bins made out of recycled wood.
  • Balcony or porch? A wormery is the ideal solution for someone with little or no garden.
  • Lots of space? The opportunities are endless – there are a range of larger bins available from many Local Authorities and most garden centres.
  • No outside space? Some councils offer a separate collection for food or garden waste. Why not check with your local council to see if this option is available in your area?

3. Garden design: If you are concerned about how your garden will look when you start composting, build the bin into the design of your garden. Compost bins could be disguised behind a surround made of either brick or timber (or stone if in keeping with your garden), or you can put a trellis in front of your bin and grow climbers over it for a really natural screen.

4. Getting started: Simply add a selection of ‘greens and browns’ to the bin for the perfect mix. ‘Greens’ are quick to rot and provide important nitrogen and moisture – try tea bags, vegetable peelings, old flowers and nettles, or spent bedding plants. ‘Browns’ such as cardboard, fallen leaves, twigs and branches are slower to rot, but provide carbon and fibre to the bin.

5. The end product: After nine months to a year your compost will be mature enough to use. You’ll know it’s ready when the compost has turned into a dark, crumbly soil-like substance. It can be used to enrich borders and plants. If you have little use for compost, consider using a wormery as this will produce less compost but plenty of plant food.

For further information about home composting and how to get started, as well as advice and information to help you along the way, visit www.recyclenow.com/compost or listen to episode 3 of the Alternative Kitchen Garden show. You could also see if you have a local Master Composter group that can help you.