A beginner's guide to composting

Composting is not only a great way to create a rich, cheap fertiliser for your garden, but it is a simple way to almost halve your household waste. Yes, you read that right. It is estimated that 40% of household bins are made up of organic matter that could go into a compost bin.

When organic waste goes to landfill it creates methane gas, a gas which is 34 times more toxic than carbon dioxide. Keeping this waste out of landfill helps reduce these gases from being released and helps you create a nutrient rich fertiliser for your garden.

When it comes to getting down and dirty there are a few things you need to remember. 

1. Don't forget to add in your dry browns (paper and dried leaves), you need a ratio of 3:1 dry to wet.

2. Your compost bin is seasonal. It will digest scraps a lot faster in warmer temps and slow down in cold weather.

3. Turn baby turn. Give your bin a good stir every week or so to help it break down nice and quickly.

What you can compost

• Fruit and veggie scraps (including citrus and onions)
• Shredded paper, newspaper and office paper
• Toilet paper rolls
• Pet and human hair
• Coffee grounds and compostable tea bags
• Dried leaves, lawn clippings and old flowers

What you can't compost

• Meat, bones and dairy
• Animal poo
• Large branches and weeds with seeds

If you don't have room for a compost bin in your garden download the ShareWaste app. The app connects you with people in your community who have a bin so you can compost your scraps with them.