Which composting method should I use?

Rebecca Wilson, passionate about recycling across South Yorkshire
Rebecca Wilson
16 Apr 2021

Whether you have a huge garden or no garden at all, there is a method of composting ideal for you.

Here are some of the main ways you can compost at home:

Which composting method should I use?

Plastic compost bins

This bin is ideal for beginners. They are available at many DIY stores and some Councils even offer a discount when buying them. These types of bins are used for composting garden waste as well as some food waste such as vegetable peelings and apple cores.

Find out more about these bins here

 

Hotbins

Although the initial costs of these bins are higher than other systems, waste decomposes  at higher temperatures and a higher speed (30-90 days in comparison with 6 months plus for other composting methods.) They are about the size of a wheelie bin and the process is all self-contained.

Find out more about these bins here

 

Wormeries

These types of bins are great for small scale composting of kitchen waste. Worms break down food quickly to produce a nutrient-rich liquid that when diluted with water (10 parts water to 1 part liquid) can be used as a fertiliser.

Find out more about Wormeries here

 

Wooden compost bins

This method of composting requires a large amount of space but can compost large quantities of material. The bin itself is relatively inexpensive and can be built using old wooden pallets or scrap timber. 

Find out more about wooden compost bins here

 

Bokashi bins

This system of composting is used in many countries and is ideal for those with limited space.  The bins can be placed in your kitchen or other warm parts of your home, and unlike other composting systems it breaks down waste without any unpleasant odours.

Find out more about Bokashi bins here

 

Leaf mould

This is an easy way of composting but requires a lot of time to make. Making leaf mould is as simple as collecting leaves from the ground. Leaf mould is a great solution if you have a lot of deciduous trees.  This is ideal in autumn, especially when the weather is dry. 

Find out more about leaf mould here

 

Trench composting

This is a low maintenance method of composting that can help improve the quality of your soil. This method should be done in autumn to allow the breakdown of materials to happen over winter.

Find out more about trench composting here

 

Find out more about composting here

Follow our compost campaign on social media! Search  #SouthYorkshireComposts for more information. 

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