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Environmental Services

Composting

Composting: Natures recycling!

Here in Newry and Mourne we are experiencing a waste crisis. Our modern lifestyle is contributing to over 40,000 tonnes of waste going to our landfill each year. Why not try to compost some of that waste instead!

Composting is an excellent way of reducing your weekly household waste and is often referred to as “nature’s way of recycling”. Compost is simply decomposed or rotted organic material which, instead of going to landfill, is transformed into a brilliant natural resource, vital for healthy soil and great for garden wildlife.

If you consider that about 50% of what we throw away from our kitchen and garden is organic material and will rot, then you will quickly realise that this material can be easily composted.

You will also get great satisfaction from knowing that you are helping the environment and saving our peat bogs (home to rare and endangered wildlife) by making your own peat- free compost.

Three ways to Compost

There are three ways that you can get involved in composting in the Newry and Mourne area.

Firstly, if you have received a brown wheelie bin from the Council you are already composting as all your kitchen and garden waste in the brown bin is taken to Natural World Products in Keady to be made into compost. Currently there are 10,000 brown bins in use helping to divert about 2500 tonnes of organic waste from our landfill every year.

If you don’t currently have a brown bin you can still bring your garden waste along to your local Household Recycling Centre where again it is transported to Natural World Products in Keady.

Composting at home

Compost can be made by leaving material in a heap or in a bin. The method you choose may depend on the size of your garden, the amount of material you have to compost or the amount of compost you require. Compost bins are a better option for smaller gardens. The bins are open ended to allow earthworms to enter the material and help speed up the process. Finaly, Newy and Mourne District Council also have a number of home composting bins, the bins are £20 available for those people, schools and community groups interested in trying composting at home.

Step One – Placing Your Compost Bin/ heap

It’s best to site your bin on a level, well-drained spot. This allows excess water to drain out and makes it easier for helpful creatures such as worms to get in and get working on breaking down the contents. Placing your bin in a partially sunny spot can help speed up the composting process. Place your bin in a convenient spot this will save you having to put on your wellies every time you need to go out to it.

Step Two - Put these in

Like any recipe, your compost relies on the right ingredients to make it work. Good things you can compost include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings. These are considered “Greens.” Greens are quick to rot and they provide important nitrogen and moisture. Other things you can compost include cardboard egg boxes, scrunched up paper and fallen leaves. These are considered “Browns” and are slower to rot. They provide fibre and carbon and also allow important air pockets to form in the mixture. Crushed eggshells can be included to add useful minerals.

Step Three - Keep these out

Certain things should never be placed in your bin. No meat, no dairy products, no diseased plants, and definitely no dog poo or cat litter, or baby’s nappies. Putting these in your bin can encourage unwanted pests and can also create odour. Also avoid composting perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) or weeds with seed heads. Remember that plastics, glass and metals are not suitable for composting and should be recycled separately.

Step Four - Making Good Compost

The key to good compost lies in getting the mix right. You need to keep your Greens and Browns properly balanced. If your compost is too wet, add more Browns. If it’s too dry, add some Greens. Making sure there is enough air in the mixture is also important. Be patient and after approximately 6-9 months your finished compost will be ready.

Step Five - Using Your Compost

Finished compost is a dark brown, almost black soil-like layer that you’ll find at the bottom of your bin. It has a spongy texture and is rich in nutrients. Spreading the finished compost into your flowerbeds greatly improves soil quality by helping it retain moisture and suppressing weeds. Composting is the easiest way to make your garden grow more beautiful.