Home Composting

Reduced-price compost bins temporarily unavailable

The national scheme for providing reduced-price home compost units came to an end on 30 September 2009. We are currently looking for alternative suppliers and aim to restart the scheme as soon as possible. Please contact us at environmental.resources@haringey.gov.uk for further information in the interim.

All you need to know about home composting

Why Compost?

Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into valuable food for your garden by returning important nutrients and minerals to your soil. Finished compost is great for using on flowerbeds, vegetable plots, mixing into planters and can really make your garden bloom. By composting at home you also reduce the amount of rubbish you put out for collection. The council is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill sites, in accordance with the National Waste Strategy 2007.

Composting is cheap, it’s easy to make and it’s even easier to use. Get composting today!

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How do I get started?

It’s best to site your bin on a level, well-drained spot. This allows excess water to drain out and makes it easier for helpful creatures such as worms to get in and help break down the contents. Placing your bin in a sunny spot can help speed up the composting process.

Place a few inches of kitchen waste on the soil at the bottom of the bin, this will help attract worms to the bin and increase the rate of compost formation. For the best results, organic waste should be put in the bin in layers of different material between 6 and 12 cm deep.

To ensure that air is getting to the centre of the bin, turn the material regularly. This will also speed up the decomposition process.

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What can I compost?

You can compost almost anything that is organic, i.e. anything that has been grown. This includes:

Fruit and vegetable scraps
Tea bags and coffee grounds
Crushed egg shells
Grass cuttings, prunings and leaves
Small amounts of shredded paper and soft cardboard

The following cannot be put into your composter:

Dog excrement, cat litter or baby’s nappies
Meat or fish
Cooked vegetables
Dairy products
Plastics, glass and metals - please recycle separately

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How do you know when the compost is ready?

Finished compost is a dark brown soil-like layer that you’ll find at the bottom of your bin. It has a spongy texture and is rich in nutrients. Some bins have a small hatch at the bottom that you can remove to get at the finished product, but sometimes it is easier to lift the bin or tip it over to get at your compost. The compost can then be spread on the garden where it will act as a fertiliser.

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