Home Composting

What is a Composter?

Composters are recycled plastic bins for the garden. Waste deposited in a composter prevents odour you would normally find in your bin. All composters have a lid and some have a hatch for easy access to the compost.

Why Compost?

It's easy and convenient
It's an easy way to minimise waste
It provides you with a wonderful soil improver
It protects peat reserves and wildlife habitats
It will save you money

Did you know that 20% of the average household dustbin is comprised of organic material?

Organic waste is biodegradable and when it is buried in landfill sites it rots and produces methane gas. Methane gas can escape into buildings near landfill sites and lead to explosions. It is not necessary to send organic waste to landfill sites as it can be converted into a useful product by householders. Compost bins can be purchased which convert food waste and other organic material into compost.

Composting is one of the Best Practicable Environmental Options for the reduction of waste to landfill. It is possible to reduce 20% of the waste in a bin without causing any environmental damage. This is more environmentally friendly than recycling as no energy input is required for transport or in the recycling process.

How to get the best results from your compost bin.

Where is the best place to put a compost bin?

For the best results from your compost bin it should be positioned in a sunny spot on well drained soil. The soil below the bin should be loosened to improve drainage and increase access for worms and bacteria. Place a few inches of kitchen waste on the soil at the bottom of the bin, this will attract worms and bacteria 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 6-12 cm deep.

What can I put in my Composter?

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

fruit and vegetable scraps
tea bags, coffee grounds
crushed egg shells
grass cuttings, prunings and leaves
small amounts of shredded paper and soft cardboard
animal hair
vacuum dust (only if you have woollen carpets)
cut flowers
straw

The following can not be put into your composter

cat or dog excrement
meat
fish
disposable nappies
shiny card
hard objects
roots of any perennial weeds, such as ground elder, couch, grass, dock and dandelions
any diseased plant
cooked food, meat and fish, cheese, fats and grease (they can attract unwanted visitors)

For best results, ensure your compost bin contains some grass cuttings or vegetarian animal manure. They heat up and speed up the composting process. However they should be mixed with other organic waste to avoid slime formation.

It is essential that your compost bin is kept warm and moist. Placing the bin in the sun and out of the wind is therefore preferable. Ensure you always put the lid on your compost bin and do not let the compost dry out.

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

How do you know when the compost is ready?

Your compost is ready for use when the material does not resemble anything that you put in the bin. Collect the compost from the small hatch at the bottom of the bin. The compost can then be spread on the garden where it will act as a fertiliser.

How much do they cost?

North Shropshire District Council is a partner in WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) phase III Home Composting Scheme to promote the sale of subsidised compost bins. Please click here for prices.

How can I order one?

The offer is open to Shropshire residents only.

Download an application form
Telephone 0845 077 0757 to order your bin and quote ref: SWAN
Leaflets and order forms are available from
- Market Drayton InfoLink
- Ellesmere InfoLink
- Whitchurch InfoLink
- Edinburgh House, Wem
Ring or email the helpline below and a leaflet will be posted to you.

The offer is limited to 3 bins per household and to Shropshire residents only. WRAP is an independent government funded organisation set up to create stable markets for recycled products and materials and remove barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.