Composting FAQs
Summary
This page answers some of the most common questions people have about composting in general, and provides links to other websites for further information on the subject. It includes a section on common composting problems and how to fix them.
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Frequently asked questions
- Why compost at home?
- I've never composted before - where do I start?
- Where can I get a compost bin?
- I don't want to buy a bin! Can I make one myself?
- I already have a compost bin/pile - how do I start composting?
- What can I put in my compost bin?
- Can I compost only food waste?
- I've got a composting problem - how do I sort it out?
Why compost at home?
- By composting you will lower the amount of waste going to landfill
- Help save peat bogs
- Compost can be used as a soil mulch and return nutrients to the soil
- Compost will help improve your garden's soil aeration and drainage
- You can get rid of your garden waste for free!
I've never composted before. Where do I start?
Starting to Compost
There are different methods and composting options to choose from. Before you start composting it is important to consider the following questions. They will help you decide which option is best for you.
How much material do you want to compost?
- If you only have a small amount of garden/kitchen waste consider buying a subsidised composter.
- If you have a regular amount of garden/kitchen waste consider an open composter as this will have more capacity.
What composting system do you want to use?
- If you want your compost pile to fit in to a small area and to be covered consider buying a subsidised composter.
- If you want to have an easy access low cost composter consider building your own composter.
- If you don’t want to buy or build a composter and have the space consider building a composting pile.
How much storage space do you have?
- If you do not have any outdoor space and do not have any garden waste consider using a wormery.
- If you have only a small amount of storage space consider an enclosed composter
- If you have enough space consider using an open composter.
How much time and effort do you want to invest?
- If you don’t mind waiting a bit longer for the garden waste/kitchen waste to decompose you can use the slow “Cold” method. This means you do not have to turn the compost very often but it will take longer for the material to break down.
- If you want to get compost quickly and are willing to put in a bit more time and effort you can use the quick “Hot” method. This means turning the pile regularly and making sure the balance between green nitrogen rich material and brown carbon rich material is maintained.
Do you want to dispose of your garden waste or kitchen waste?
- If you do not have any garden waste or only want to dispose of kitchen waste consider using a wormery. A wormery creates “compost tea” (very good for plants) and small amounts of good quality compost.
- If you want to dispose of garden waste or garden waste and kitchen waste you will need to compost.
Where can I get a compost bin?
You can buy a council subsidised compost bin, and there are two sizes available. See our page on Home composting: discounts on composting bins.
But I don't want to buy a bin! Can I make one myself?
If you don't want to buy a bin you can make one yourself. There are lots of different designs available. Making your own bin can be a cheap and easy with the added benefit of choosing a design which best matches the needs of your garden.
Composting - Build your own compost bin
Pallet compost bin
Three-bin composting system can be built quickly and at very little cost using shipping pallets. You can use the three bin system to collect the raw materials in the first bin to start composting, then move the compost into the second bin to mix and aerate the material, then to the third bin for finishing.
Size: approximately 13.5 feet by 4 feet, suitable for managing up to three tons of compost. Can easily be modified to make a two bin or one bin system.
Garbage can bin
This is a cheap and simple bin to make. It also has the advantage of being pest resistant. You can mix the materials by securing the lid and rolling the bin. Guidance with garbage can bins can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website.
Wire mesh compost bins
Wire mesh composting bins are inexpensive and easy to construct. They can be easily moved. The circular bin looses its shape more quickly then the five-panelled bin. Guidance can be found on the Spokane Waste System website.
Wooden, fence, cement and rotating composters
A range of different composters using different materials and varying in cost and time needed for construction.
I've already got compost bin/pile. How do I compost?
- Find a location for your compost bin/pile. This should be at least two feet from any other structure.
- Set up (if using) compost bin
- Collect material for compost bin/pile. Make sure the material is in small pieces, ideally less then two inches. This will speed up composting.
- Add some twigs or leaves at the very bottom to aerate the compost pile.
- Cover bin/pile.
- Turn the pile. The more regularly you do this the quicker your compost will break down.
- Continue adding material: weeds, grass cuttings, sawdust, old newspapers, twigs & leaves.
- Add Nitrogen.
- Add water.
- Wait while it all decomposes.
- Use it!
What materials can I add to my compost pile/bin?
Our web page on What you can & can't compost lists all the materials you can put on your compost pile, and those you shouldn't. It is not a complete list. If you would like to know if an ingredient is compostable please go to the Master Composter website, where there is a large list.
Can I compost only food waste?
Have you considered using a wormery? Worms can eat up to half their body weight every day and produce high quality compost. A wormery needs only a small amount of space and you can make your own wormery if you do not want to buy one.
For more information on how to build your own wormery (approximately £13 for materials) go to the Trouble at' Mill website: wormery on a budget.
For more information on how to use a wormery go to the Worm Woman website
I've got a composting problem. How do I sort it out?
Composting - Common compost problems
| Problem | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
|
Compost smells like rotten eggs |
Hydrogen Sulphide is given off when decomposition takes place under anaerobic (no oxygen) conditions. Can be the result of too little stirring or too much water. |
Get as much air in the compost as possible. Stir thoroughly, and add some dry material such as peat moss or sawdust if it appears to be too wet. |
|
Compost smells like ammonia |
Usually the result of too much nitrogen-rich material in the compost, particularly grass clippings. |
Add carbon-rich material, such as leaves, saw dust or peat moss, and mix well. Stir frequently for a few days until the odour goes away. |
|
Fruit Flies |
Exposed food waste. |
Mix the fresh food waste into the material already in the compost bin/heap. |
|
Compost attracts animals |
Meat and other animal products have been included which should not be added. Or food scraps are not well covered. |
Keep meat and other animal products out of the compost. Cover compost bin or heap with a lid/ heavy cloth or with brown materials such as leaves, wood chips, or finished compost. |
|
Compost does not heat up |
Compost pile is too small or too dry. Or if it is big enough and moist enough it needs more sources of nitrogen. |
Compost pile should be at least 1m3. If not make the pile larger. |
|
My compost pile takes too long to break down |
The pile might not have the right mixture of 'browns' and 'greens'. |
Add moisture-rich and nitrogen-rich fruit and vegetable scraps to speed up the process. |
|
Compost is a slushy mess |
Either due to uncovered compost allowing rain in which cools the compost rapidly and stops the composting process. Or putting too much "green" waste in altogether |
Cover the compost. |
Related pages on this website
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Recycling Team |
|---|---|
| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | ketteringham@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| freephone: | 0808 168 3333 |
| telephone: | 01603 819999 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | Ketteringham Depot Station Lane Hethersett Norfolk NR9 3AZ |
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