Composting at home - How to get the best from my compost bin 

Useful maintenance tips 

1. Site your compost bin or pile on grass or bare earth in a shady location reasonably close to the kitchen

2. Collect together a batch of materials – remember to get a mixture of browns and greens

3. Start to fill your compost bin – spread items out to the edges and firm down gently

4. Continue to fill the container as you produce organic waste

5. Aim for a good mixture of items and roughly equal quantities of browns and greens

6. Sprinkle with water regularly – keep the pile moist like a wrung-out sponge

7. Try to get air into the heap at least once every couple of months if possible. An old broom handle pushed in and moved from side to side will do; a good mix with a fork is even better

8. Remove finished brown compost from the bottom as and when it is ready

9. Look to make sure that your compost bin is fully sealed to stop unwanted guests and pests!