.jpg)
Composters are recycled plastic bins for the garden. You can put kitchen peelings and garden waste in them which break down to form compost.
There are loads of reasons why you should think about getting into composting!
Home made compost improves the quality of your garden soil, helping it to retain moisture and support health plant growth. Composting at home is an ideal way to recycle your garden and kitchen waste, reducing the amount of waste collected by the Council. Up to a third of the contents of a typical wheeled bin is compostable. Home-made compost can be used instead of shop bought peat based composting – helping to preserve valuable peatland habitat.
You may wonder why you need to compost at home when the organic waste rots down in landfill anyway. In reality organic waste that ends up in landfill is unable to decompose properly because, squashed under all the other waste, it doesn't receive any air. This means that methane, a powerful greenhouse gas is produced which contributes to global warming. When you compost at home you are not only getting free soil improver for your garden but you are also doing your bit to reduce global warming too!
If you are on the Twin Bin Scheme, then the Council collects organic garden waste for composting. However you may wish to compost at home your kitchen scraps, so you can use the compost you make on your own garden.
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 and12 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:
The following can not be put into your composter:
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.
Compost bins are available to buy at a discounted rate from the Council suppliers, see below for details of how to order . Prices are inclusive of VAT and all bins are delivered to your door (please allow 28 days for delivery).
This offer is open to residents only 
To order your composter bin you can either:
For lots of information about composting visit http://www.recyclenow.com/compost
For more information contact:
Environmental Services
South Northamptonshire Council
Springfields
Towcester NN12 6AE
Telephone: 01327 322 344
E-mail: environmental.services@southnorthants.gov.uk