There are two types of waste that are great for any compost bin or heap: green waste and brown waste.

Brown waste

Brown waste tends to be slower to rot and helps to form air pockets of carbon and fibre and includes items such as the following:

• Egg shells
• Cardboard
• Sweetcorn cobs
• Tomato plants
• Kitchen paper
• Brown leaves
• Paper bags
• Wood ash
• Vacuum cleaner contents

Green waste

Green waste is much quicker to rot than brown waste and offers the nitrogen and moisture your compost needs to break down. Green waste includes:

• Carrot tops
• Fruit peels
• House plants
• Grass
• Weeds
• Tea leaves and tea bags
• Vegetable peels
• Cut flowers
• Coffee grounds

What can’t be composted?

There are of course a number of items that can’t be composted, including the following:

• Disposable nappies
• Cat litter
• Bread
• Plastic
• Dog food
• Dog faeces
• Meat or fish
• Bones
• Coal ash

When is compost ready for use?

Home-made compost won’t look the same as shop-bought; you’ll know it’s ready for use in your garden when it is dark brown, with a slightly moist texture. It will smell earthy and be fairly crumbly. Once it’s ready, you can use your compost for all sorts of areas around the garden, including flowerbeds, around trees, in plantpots and even to feed your lawn.

There you have it, food waste recycling before your eyes! Why not get started with your own compost bin today?

W&S is one of the leading recycling companies in the UK, offering a comprehensive range of sustainable services including plastic, paper, glass and WEEE recycling and skip hire for both private homes and businesses. To find out more about our services, or if you have questions about how you can recycle more this new year, contact our friendly team today on 01202 675564.