HOME COMPOSTING
Composting is nature’s way of recycling
!
Help Protect
Kerry’s
Environment and
Save Money ...
Protecting Kerry’s Environment
CONTENTS
Seo é do sheans timpeallacht Ciarraí a
fheabhsú. Dein do chuid aoilleach fhéin
ag a baile, agus coiméad an láthair
drámhíola folamh. Mar a dúirt an té a
dúirt, ‘I dtosach na haicíde is fusa í a
leigheas’.
Mas féidir leat gearradh siar ar do chuid
bruscair ag a baile, beidh sé níos easca
orainn é a bhainistiú. Bain triail as,
‘I ndiaidh a chéile is ea a dhéantar na
caisleán’.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
page
01
02
foreword
03
what is composting?
04
how do I start?
05
home composting bins ...
07
alternative ways of composting ...
08
how do I compost?
09
what’s in and what’s out ...
10
how to use your compost ...
11
common problems and simple solutions ...
13
what else can I do to help the environment?
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE YOU PRODUCE
Over one third of the contents of your wheelie bin is made
up of organic material. The bin also contains glass, aluminium
and paper. IN TOTAL NEARLY 50% OF YOUR BIN CONTENTS IS
RECYCLABLE RIGHT NOW!
If you put these materials into your bin they are landfilled.
When organic material is landfilled it can cause
environmental problems.
Get into home composting and keep organic waste from
landfill - and at the same time produce a useful product for your
garden and save money!
This booklet tells you all you need to know about home composting.
Every man, woman and child in Kerry produces roughly half a tonne of rubbish
each year, 97% of this is landfilled. A typical bin is made up of the following:
Organics
Glass
Other
34%
6%
20%
Metals
Paper
4%
23%
Textiles
Plastics
5%
8%
Over one third of every bin is made up of organic material. This includes
materials such as grass clippings, fruit and vegetable waste, coffee grounds, tea
bags, egg shells, dead leaves, uncooked food scraps and general garden waste.
If you separate this waste at home and compost it, you will save landfill space, along with
providing your garden with the many benefits of the nutrients in the compost.
HOME COMPOSTING IS POSSIBLY THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE ACTION
YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT KERRY’S ENVIRONMENT - AND IT’S SIMPLE!
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
In Kerry we have one landfill site which services the entire county. Due to low recycling
rates and an ever growing mountain of waste being produced this landfill is filling rapidly.
Over 65,000 tonnes of waste is disposed of to landfill in Kerry each year. This figure is
growing at a rate of 4% annually. This can’t continue. We as individuals need to change
our ways. A few simple changes by each individual can make a big difference
- Shop for the environment, recycle more and get into home composting!
02
WHAT IS COMPOSTING?
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
‘Composting turns your waste into a useful
product.’ Organic wastes, such as materials
from the kitchen and garden, have a common trait that distinguishes them from
other household wastes, they decompose
quickly. This decomposition and subsequent
return to the soil, is entirely natural and is a
key cycle upon which all life depends. When
this material is separated from other household
waste, and allowed to decompose in the presence of air and a certain amount
of water, organic waste is converted into a crumbly soil-like material called
compost. The composting process involves millions of tiny creatures, most of
which are too small to be seen by the naked eye. These creatures include
bacteria, insects, fungi, and worms.
03
WHY COMPOST?
Making compost is good for the environment because:
• Saves landfill space
• Reduces green house gas emissions from landfill
• Cuts down on burning waste in the back garden
• Enriches the soil
• Raises environmental awareness
• Discourages illegal dumping of organic waste
• Saves you money
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HOME COMPOSTING FOR YOU?
Making your Garden Grow
Adding compost to your garden helps your flowers and vegetables in two major
ways: by supplying needed nutrients and by conditioning the soil.
I don’t have a garden?
Compost will make grass healthier. Spread it on you lawn and watch it create
the same wonderful benefits for you that it does for your gardening friends.
You can also use it on potted plants in your home.
I don’t have a lawn, and I don’t have a garden?
Give your compost to someone you know who has a garden. Every good
gardener will gladly accept it, as they know the value of compost.
It will SAVE YOU MONEY ...
Eventually households will pay for waste disposal according to weight. Your
wheelie bin will be weighed as it is lifted, and you will be charged accordingly.
The more you reduce, recycle and compost the less you send to landfill.
...This means you will pay less. ‘Slow the flow and save some dough’.
Compost simply happens, it’s a natural process. No sense getting all excited and
worrying about it. Don’t time it and wonder why it isn’t done yet. Never worry
that you simply can’t compost - or that you are not doing it right. Put a system
in place that best suits you, your family, and the space you live in. Having a garden is a bonus but is certainly not a necessity. However we do not recommend
that you put your home composter on a concrete surface, as it prevents soil
creatures from doing their job. Find a suitable location, begin to separate your
organic waste at home and simply feed your composter.
WHAT DO I NEED TO START HOME COMPOSTING?
There are a few ways you can compost, from the fairly elaborate ‘wormery’
to the basic ‘heap’ it’s really up to you. A special plastic container called a
‘Home Composting Bin’ can be purchased from Kerry County Council.
Alternatively you can build your own, some designs are included later in this
booklet. Because composting is a natural process there is no need for any kind
of structure, although for convenience many people decide to use the plastic
containers. It is important to think carefully about where you locate your
composting bin or heap. Have it placed close enough to your house to give easy
access, especially during the winter. Also remember to have it close enough to
where you will be using the finished compost.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
HOW DO I START COMPOSTING?
04
The ideal situation is to have a plastic
compost container for all food scraps
and kitchen waste along with some
garden waste, while at the same time
build a compost pile for the majority of your
COMPOSTING BIN
garden waste and paper/cardboard.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
HOME COMPOSTING BIN
05
The easiest system for many people with little or no garden space, or people
who like the idea of a tidy closed container, are the commercially available
home composting bins. There are many different types on the market. These
units have a capacity of approximately 250 to 300 litres, and should be large
enough for the average family. Most are made from recycled plastics. This style
of bin also retains moisture and heat Some oxygen is introduced each time the
lid is opened, and in the case of some models air is allowed in through the base
plate, vents along the side and also through a spike in the middle.
Don’t worry if the bin is filling up quickly, nature’s great disappearing act is
about to begin. There will be a sizable decrease in the volume, even within a
week.
WHERE SHOULD I PUT THE BIN?
When deciding where to place the bin, there are a few guidelines to remember.
Place the bin on grass or earth ...
This allows worms to enter the bin from underneath - worms help to keep air
circulating through the material and plenty of air is needed to speed up the
composting process and avoid odours. Also as the material decomposes
moisture seeps out and you’ll need to allow this liquid to soak into your grass
or earth. To prevent vermin from getting into the composter it is advisable to
place ‘bird cage’ wire under the base of the composter.
Distance from house ...
Place the bin not too far from your kitchen door, so it is easily accessed but far
enough to allow bacteria, fungi, worms and beetles to work in peace.
Protect it from heavy rain ...
Heavy rain may waterlog the bin, which will starve the bin of air and prevent
composting.
Once you’ve chosen your location loosen the soil in order to help drainage
and make it easier for the worms and bacteria to pass into the bin from the
surrounding earth.
For problem free composting, it is essential that there is good air circulation.
It will be necessary to stir the material on a regular
basis, to ensure that the material will not smell.
A garden pike or a small hand shovel/spade will
do perfectly.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
Place the bin in a sunny spot ...
The colour of the bin will absorb the sunrays without the risk of drying out the
material in the bin. The composting process will speed up during the summer
months and slow down during winter.
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DIY COMPOSTING BINS
1 COMPOST PILE
No construction necessary. Find a sheltered spot in your
backyard to begin your pile. That’s all you need.
Just keep in mind that items such as paper towels
and napkins can blow around without a some sort of
shelter or protection around the pile.
2. WIRE-MESH
Tie a length of wire or plastic mesh into a circle, and
attach the ends with a wire ties using pliers. Use and old
carpet to cover, which will prevent the material from
becoming too wet.
3. SINGLE WOODEN UNIT
Choose a 3’ x 3’ square area for your compost bin. Use a
sledgehammer to pound the four posts 2’ x 4’ into the
ground, three feet apart, at the corners of the square.
One side can be left open to allow for easy access.
A second unit would allow the compost to mature in
one box while you add materials to the first box.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
4. WOODEN PALLET UNIT
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One easy way to build a simple and effective compost
bin is to use four ordinary wooden pallets, and tie them
together. Many retail outlets will allow you to reclaim the
discarded pallets for use at home. After placing the four
pallets upright to form your square bin, tie the four
corners with rope or wire. You can use a fifth pallet for
flooring to allow greater air flow. Again cover with an old
carpet or some other material to keep it dry. Again a second
unit would also be helpful with this type of composting.
5. CEMENT BLOCK BIN
Cement blocks or bricks may be used to build a
composter. It is easy to set up and can be
constructed with two sections to facilitate the
turning of the pile, from one section to another.
HOW DO I COMPOST?
All organic can be divided up into GREENS and BROWNS.
GREENS are things like... kitchen waste, such as fruit and vegetable peelings,
bread, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, cooked and uncooked food scraps (except
meat, fish, and chicken), dead leaves, dried grass cuttings, garden weeds.
BROWNS are things like... tea bags, paper including egg cartons, toilet paper
rolls and cereal boxes, leaves, straw, sawdust and other woody materials.
- These materials need to be broken up or shredded.
AN EASY WAY TO REMEMBER IS THAT BROWNS ARE DRY, HARD MATERIALS.
GREENS ARE FRESH, SOFT, MOIST MATERIALS.
Don’t worry if you don’t have many materials at the beginning. Although a
compost pile needs a certain amount of bulk to get working, you will soon be
adding lots more material to your pile.
You should not leave kitchen scraps (GREENS), on top
of the pile. It is best to keep these materials buried
inside the compost heap, where they will break
down quicker. That is why you finish with BROWNS
on top of the pile. Just remember that each time
you add some grass clippings and kitchen scraps,
cover them with a layer of BROWNS.
The easiest way to do this is to keep a bag
of leaves or shredded paper near your composter,
or compost heap, and then throw in a few
handfuls each time to cover your GREENS.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
GREENS provide nitrogen. BROWNS provide carbon. For composting to work
properly, you must have both carbon and nitrogen in equal quantities.
Begin with a layer of BROWNS - a base of leaves or wood clippings will help air
circulate in your pile, and then add a layer of GREENS. Finish by covering with
a layer of BROWNS. As you add to your pile in the weeks and months to come,
continue alternating layers of GREENS and BROWNS, always finishing with a
layer of BROWNS.
08
what’s in...
what’s out...
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
Your composter will not give you any problems as long as
the right balance of materials, air and moisture are used.
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WHAT’S IN from the House
WHAT’S IN from the Garden
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Baked goods including bread
Rice and other grains
Pasta
Paper towels and serviettes
Tea leaves and bags
Coffee grounds and filters
Egg shells (important source
of calcium for the compost)
Shredded paper (newspaper,
cereal boxes, paper packaging etc.).
Leaves
Grass cuttings
Weeds
Plants and plant cutting (non diseased)
Twigs etc (break into smaller pieces).
WHAT’S OUT from the House
WHAT’S OUT from the Garden
All meat including chicken
Fish and shell fish
Bones
Fat, grease, oils
All dairy products including cheese
Vacuum cleaner bags
Textiles
Glossy print material
Weeds that have gone to seed
Diseased plants
Large branches and roots
Dog and cat waste
Plants previously sprayed with
non-degradable pesticides.
HOW DO I USE MY COMPOST?
Compost is ready for use when it has a fine crumbly appearance like soil,
and is dark brown in colour.
Compost can be use in a number of ways ...
• For houseplants and potting, mix the compost with garden soil.
The recommended ratio is 1 part compost and 8 part top soil because of the
very high nitro content.
• Compost can be used as a mulch to suppress weeds.
• It can be used as a soil or lawn top dressing, or seed starting mix.
• Compost tea can be made from steeping compost in a bucket
and using the liquid to water and feed plants.
• Use compost when planting trees or shrubs by mixing a
bucketful with the soil at the bottom of the planting hole.
Activators/Accelerators
An accelerator is any substance that will speed up the rate of composting. Some
ready prepared accelerators are available from gardening centres and hardware
shops. You simply sprinkle it over the composting material each time you add a
layer to your pile. Natural accelerators are just as good and much cheaper.
Examples of good accelerators are crushed seaweed and manure from horses,
cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chicken and pigeons. Never put dog or cat droppings
on your compost pile.
Water
It is important that the composting material is moist. It should generally be as
wet as a wrung out sponge. If it dries out, simply add water when required. If
too wet, add in some browns to soak up the excess moisture, or if you have it
covered, remove the cover in sunny weather to let some of the liquid evaporate.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
SOME OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
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Air
To add air to your compost pile, poke a shovel or a pitchfork into it and turn
the material over. By simply mixing the material up in this way, once every two
weeks or so, you will add air to the pile. This helps to speed up the composting
process, and prevents the pile from smelling. It is also important because the
micro-organisms and earthworms that do all of the of turning your ‘wastes’ into
such a valuable resource, need the moisture and air to stay alive and do their
work.
To sum it up, your job is just to add the material, turn (mix up) the pile every
two weeks and keep your pile damp.
Wormeries
Worm bins are also an effective way of composting. A number of Irish
Companies supply worms, and they can be added to your Composter. Contact
the Freephone number at the back of this brochure for more information.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
COMMON PROBLEMS AND THE SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
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Can I compost in Winter?
Yes you can. Although your compost heap may look frozen during the winter,
it will usually be working in the middle, although at a much slower pace than
during the summer. Keep adding material to your pile throughout the winter,
even if it freezes, it will start composting again with the start of spring, and
hopefully warmer weather.
How long does it take to make compost?
Compost can be produced in as little as 3 months or it can take as long as two
years. It depends on how you maintain your heap. If you use roughly equal
amounts of GREENS and BROWNS, keep the pile moist, and turn or mix the pile
regularly, you can get compost in a few months. A less active maintenance
program will result in the same product, but after a longer period of time.
Should I use an accelerator?
Accelerators claim to speed up the composting process. Basically they contain
concentrated amounts of elements already present in a well-used compost bin.
They certainly seem to work but adding a small amount of fresh grass cuttings,
nettles or coffee grounds will have the same effect. Perhaps the most readilyavailable compost accelerator is human urine, but we do not recommend it this
technique in urban areas!!!
Can I compost evergreen material?
Evergreen material takes a long time to decompose, over five years in some
cases. In general they are very acidic and the leaves or needles tend to have an
almost rubbery texture. There is no reason not to include them, except for their
slow decomposition. Add in small amounts only.
What should I do if my composter smells?
There are two possible reasons as to why you are experiencing this problem.
Firstly you may have too many GREENS and not enough BROWNS. If you
haven’t added Browns in a while, put some in. If you don’t have any dried
leaves handy, shred some newspaper and mix it in.
The most likely problem is that your compost pile may be lacking in oxygen.
To fix it, simply turn the material over with a shovel or pitchfork a few times.
The smell will be gone in a day or two.
What happens in the compost pile?
Your compost pile contains the nitrogen and carbon rich material you have put
into it, as well as a number of different microorganisms, worms and beneficial
insects that live on a diet of these materials. The microorganisms will generate
a lot of heat as they do their work, a compost pile regularly heats up to 50 to
65 degrees Celsius after new material is put into it. During this process, the
materials are broken down into compost, and this is what you can spread back
on your garden.
Will I get animals in my compost pile?
Not if you put the correct materials in your pile. No meat, bones, dairy products
(including cheese), fatty materials, or oil should be put into your compost pile.
These materials break down very slowly, and will attract unwanted pests.
Remember all kitchen waste should be covered by BROWNS, (such as dried
leaves). Animals are a very rare occurrence in a properly managed compost pile.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
I don’t have much ‘BROWN’ material.
The most readily available BROWN materials are newspapers and cardboard.
You only need about 10 newspapers a year for each compost bin. It should be
torn into strips or as individual sheets rolled into balls before adding it in.
About half a tabloid newspaper should be added every couple of weeks or
so if no other ‘BROWNS’ are available. Plain brown cardboard can also be used,
again make sure it is damp and cut into smaller pieces. Avoid too much
coloured cardboard as some of the inks can be toxic.
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WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO MANAGE MY
WASTE PROPERLY… SHOP CAREFULLY…
RECYCLE MORE… REUSE MORE…
At present there are 85 locations in County Kerry to recycle glass, aluminium drink
cans and more recently steel food cans. There are also 13 locations to recycle Plastic
Bottles in the larger towns throughout Kerry. There are more extensive recycling
facilities at the Transfer Stations which are located near Killarney, Milltown, Kenmare
and Cahersiveen-these include plastic bottles, newspapers, magazines, cardboard,
batteries, waste car oil, white goods and household hazardous waste. Recycling
facilities are also available at the North Kerry Landfill Site.
Waste Cooking Oil can be recycled. There are several private companies who will take
waste cooking oil and recycle it. There is a cost for this service.
Household hazardous waste, such as fluorescent lights, oil paints, pesticides, aerosols,
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
bleaches etc., can also be recycled at the Transfer Stations.
Printed on Cyclus - 100% Recycled Paper
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10 steps...
FOLLOW THE 10 BASIC STEPS TO A BETTER ENVIRONMENT ...
1. SHOP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ...
Avoid over packaged goods, buy goods packaged in recyclable material
e.g. glass and aluminium.
2. GET INTO RECYCLING ...
There will soon be 60 recycling banks in Co. Kerry, start bringing your glass and drink cans
to a bank near you.
3. SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS ...
Refuse to take a plastic bag when you do not need one - bring your own canvas or
reusable bag. Plastic bags are made of a non-renewable resource and cause serious litter
problems.
4. FOLLOW THIS BOOKLET AND COMPOST YOUR FOOD AND GARDEN WASTE AT
HOME AND CUT DOWN ON WASTE GOING TO LANDFILL ...
5. DON’T LITTER AND DON’T TOLERATE THOSE WHO DO ...
Litter is a serious environmental problem - we all object to it yet half of us admit to doing it
7. DISPOSE OF WASTE LIQUIDS i.e HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS, PAINTS OR WEED KILLERS
CORRECTLY ... These products are often hazardous - hazardous to your health and to the
environment if not disposed of correctly.
8. TAKE THE HEALTHY OPTION ...
For short journeys ask yourself do you really need the car. When stopping of at the shop
don’t leave the engine running.
9. TURN DOWN AND SWITCH OFF ...
Your heating system uses up the most energy in your home make sure it is well insulated
and draught proof. Turn off lights and televisions when they are not in use.
10. BECOME LABEL CONSCIOUS ...
Chose energy labels A or B when buying a new washer dryer fridge or dishwashers
- You’ll save energy and money.
C O M P O S T I N G N a t u r e ’s Wa y o f R e c y c l i n g
6. WATER IS LIFE ...
We can be careless about the water we use - wasted water is money down the drain.
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