Composting is the way that nature recycles food waste and things that grow in your garden.
For example, when twigs and leaves fall to the floor in the forest they eventually rot away into the soil which provides lots of food for the trees and plants in the forest to help them grow.
In the same way, you can recycle your food and garden waste and make it into compost which can be put on your garden to make your plants grow bigger and more beautiful.
What can I compost?
- Fruit and vegetable scraps.
- Big cage cleanings.
- Feathers.
- Garden waste – leaves and twigs.
- Grass.
- Nut shells.
- String.
- Wool.
What can't I compost?
- Meat or dairy waste (e.g. cheese and yogurt) – animals may like the smell of this and get in your bin!
- Oils or fats.
- Animal or human waste.
- Diseased plants – these may infect the compost which may harm your garden when you eventually put the compost on it.
How does all of this turn into compost?
Compost is made when millions of tiny ‘micro-organisms’ (which are creatures so small you can not see them) break down the waste and turn it into compost. These micro-organisms need an even mix of brown stuff and green stuff to munch on. They also need air and water to live and work. Put all this together and in time you will have compost!
Air + Water + Brown Stuff + Green Stuff + worms and insects = Compost
Brown stuff is dead, dried plant parts like leaves and pine needles. Green stuff is fresh, living parts like grass clippings, kitchen vegetable scraps, weeds and other plants.
The millions of tiny friendly micro-organisms work hard to convert these things into compost. Just like when we work hard, the micro-organisms get warm. This means the compost heap will also get warm (some compost heaps will heat up to 50-60 degrees Celsius). This heat means that any nasty germs, bugs or organisms that are in the compost will die, so the compost is safe to be used on the garden.
Why is home composting good?
- Less waste means landfill sites will last longer.
- Saves the council money - as they do not have to collect, transport and dispose of compostable waste.
- Helps you grow lots of flowers, fruits and vegetables in your garden.
- Reduces the need to use nasty chemicals on your garden.
Your family can buy a low price compost bin for your home. Check out the Recycling Blast Off! page for more details.
