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Home Composting

Reduced-price compost bins available

We are now offering residents the chance to buy compost bins at greatly reduced prices. Click on the following links to find out how to order today.

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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How do I get hold of a Compost bin?

Haringey Council, in partnership with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) is offering residents the chance to buy compost bins at greatly reduced prices. There are three different bins available priced from £22, plus £5 for home delivery.

This black composter converter bin (pictured right) is available in two sizes - 220 litres and 330 litres

220 litre compost bin

Height = 90cm
Depth = 74cm
Has a sliding hatch for easy access to the compost
No assembly required
Made from 100% recycled material

Only £22 (manufacturer's suggested retail price £40)

330 litre compost bin

Height = 100cm
Depth = 80cm
Sliding hatch for easy access to compost
No assembly required
Made from 100% recycled material

Only £23 (manufacturer's suggested retail price £50)

250 litre Komp compost bin

Height = 105cm
Depth and width = 54cm
Four sided with hinged lid
Marbled green
100% recycled material

Only £48 (manufacturer's suggested retail price £66)

All bins will be delivered to your home, there is no additional delivery charge. To order your bin today call 0845 076 0223 (note this is the new number as of January 2009). You can order compost bins from this number at the following times:


Month	Day	Time
From September to February	Monday to Friday	8.30am - 5.15pm
From March to August	Monday to Friday	8.30am - 8pm
	Saturday	9am - 1pm

You can now also apply for a Compost bin online at http://www.recyclenow.com/compost (see external links section at the bottom of this page.

You can also buy accessories for your compost bin from this website including aerators and additives. If you are looking to purchase biodegradable bags for use with Haringey's food waste collection service please look at the bags section of the food waste composting page for more information.

The offer is available for residents in Haringey only and is limited to two bins per household. The offer is subject to availability and ends in March 2009.

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Where can I get more information?

For more information about how to order a discounted compost bin see the attached section below

The Recycle Now website contains useful information and advice about home composting (see external links section below). You can also phone the composting line on 0845 072 0223 if you have any queries about composting at home.