1. Reduces garden waste
You can compost a wide range of things from your garden including grass cuttings, twigs and branches, and fallen leaves in the autumn. This means that your garden waste bin will fill up less quickly.
2. Reduces food waste
Fruit and vegetable scraps can help add vital nutrients to our compost heaps.
3. Saves money
If you make your own compost, you don’t need to buy as much (or any) synthetic fertilisers to use on your garden.
4. Helps reduce climate change
Compost acts as a carbon store. According to Recycle Now, composting at home for just one year can save global warming gases equivalent to all the CO2 your kettle produces annually, or your washing machine produces in three months.
5. Supports biodiversity
Bugs and insects that help our gardens thrive and keep our soils healthy love compost as it creates habitats and provides food.
6. Improves soil health
The quality of soil improves when compost is added, as it enhances the soil structure, increases aeration, and boosts fertility.
7. Promotes healthier plant growth
Our plants and crops thrive when planted in compost, as it provides them with valuable nutrients.
8. Conserves water
Compost acts like a sponge in the soil and helps retain moisture, meaning that you have to water the plants less often.
9. Can be done both outdoors and indoors
There are lots of different methods of composting at home that can suit most every lifestyle. Indoor methods include using wormeries and Bokashi bins. For the outdoors, you can use a traditional plastic open-bottomed bin, a hot composter or a wooden bin.
10. It’s easy to get started!
Getting started is easy and doesn’t require any expensive equipment.
Read our beginners’ guide on getting started here