At Vavista, we believe in promoting sustainable living – that’s why when you buy a new car insurance policy with us, we plant a tree! One easy way you can contribute to a healthier planet is through composting.
Did you know, only 3% of UK households compost at home? [1]. This means a lot of organic waste such as food is still ending up in landfills. In fact, around 4.5 million tonnes of food is thrown away in the UK every year. [2]
We’ve put together this guide for composting made easy, so you can transform your waste into nutrient-rich soil. Let’s explore the benefits of composting, how to get started, and why it’s a great choice for the environment.
What is Composting?
Composting is the process of recycling organic waste into fertiliser for your garden. Encouraging people to compost can have an impact on reducing your overall waste. When organic waste is sent to landfill, it’s highly compacted with lots of other rubbish and starved of oxygen. When organic waste is starved of oxygen it can rot and release methane – a greenhouse gas that can be harmful to the environment. This could be 25 times more potent than the same amount of carbon dioxide. [2]
Why Start Composting?
Here are just some of the reasons to start composting at home:
- Reduces Food and Other Waste: Composting significantly cuts down the amount of waste sent to landfills. Composting this waste helps divert it from landfills, reducing methane emissions—a harmful greenhouse gas.
- Reduces Carbon Footprint: By composting, you can reduce your carbon footprint. Drive less of your waste to landfill and save on greenhouse gases. The food waste thrown away in the UK produces can the same greenhouse gases as a quarter of the country’s cars [1]. It’s a small step that collectively can make a big difference.
- Saves Money: By composting, you can reduce the need to buy fertilisers and soil conditioners.
- Enriches Soil: Compost is rich in nutrients and helps improve soil structure, water retention, and aeration. It acts as a natural fertiliser, promoting healthy plant growth without the need for chemical fertilisers.
How Do I Start Composting?
Starting a compost pile or bin is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
- Select a Location: Pick a spot for your compost bin or pile. It should be a well-drained area with good air circulation.
- Gather Materials: A food waste bin can help you to separate out your food waste for composting. Empty this into your compost bin every couple of days. Where possible keep your food bin out of direct sunlight and keep the lid closed. Composting requires a mix of “greens” and “browns”.
Greens are nitrogen-rich materials like:
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- Fruit and vegetable peels and scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Teabags
- Grass clippings, fresh leaves and old flowers
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Browns are carbon-rich materials like:
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- Dry leaves
- Straw
- Eggshells
- Cardboard and paper, e.g newspaper, napkins, toilet roll tubes and boxes
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Aim for a balance of 50% greens and 50% browns. Never add cooked food or meat or fish to your compost pile.
- Build Your Compost Pile: Start with a layer of browns, then add a layer of greens. Continue layering, making sure to keep the pile moist but not waterlogged. Turn the pile regularly with a spade to get air into it and speed up the decomposition process.
- Monitor and Maintain: Keep an eye on your compost pile. It should be damp, like a wrung-out sponge. If it gets too dry, add water. Add more browns if it gets too wet. Turning the pile every few weeks to make sure it stays aerated. Keep on adding greens and browns to top up your compost.
- Wait!: It can take 9-12 months for your compost to be ready. Wait until it looks crumbly and dark and smells earthy and fresh. Then it’s ready to use!
Composting is an easy way to make a positive impact on the environment all from the comfort of your home and garden. By turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, you help reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote healthier soil. It’s a win-win for you and the planet.
If you enjoyed reading this, check out our other blog 7 Ways You Can Reduce Your Food Waste.
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[1] 12 Composting Statistics in the UK: 2024 Update | House Grail
[2] https://www.recyclenow.com/how-to-recycle/food-waste-recycling
[3] Anaerobic digestion and composting: Latest industry survey report, new summaries of technology, and impacts | WRAP
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