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Home composting

Organic household waste can be disposed of in your brown bin, or by using a home composter. 

We encourage householders who produce lots of compostable garden waste to recycle through home composting as they’ll get the benefit of producing compost for the garden.

Surplus green (garden type) waste can also be taken to the nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre.

To get you started, Zero Waste Scotland have produced an easy guide to composting

Why compost?

Home composting reduces the amount of biodegradable waste going for final disposal. While creating a useful product to benefit your garden it also encourages insects and wildlife into your garden.

Just sit your compost bin (on bare soil or grass) in a reasonably sunny spot, sheltered from the wind that is easily accessible all year. 

Making your own compost bin can be a relatively simple, environmentally friendly alternative - often using pallets or other leftover wood.  You can find lots of “how to” videos and tips online.

The following sites have lots of ideas and useful information:

How long does it take?

It usually takes between 6 and 18 months dependent on;

  • the materials used
  • the time of year 
  • how much air you get into it

Adding air speeds up the composting process, but if you have the correct mix of brown and green materials, it is not necessary. You can add air by:

  • turning the compost with a garden fork
  • using an aerator stick
  • creating pockets by adding scrunched up paper and cardboard

Compost too wet or dry?

Add more green materials if it is too dry. Add brown materials if it feels slimy or soggy.

Is my compost ready?

Compost is ready when it is dark brown and crumbly with an 'earthy' smell.

More Information

For further information on home composting please contact a waste awareness team member. 

email: wasteawarenessteam@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 

Telephone: 01294 310000

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