14/12/2012 - Permalink

Carry on composting this Christmas

Related topics: Community

Shropshire Council and their contractor Veolia are reminding residents to keep composting over the winter period and take advantage of their specially-discounted home compost bins.

Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for waste management, said:

“Home composting is a great way to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill all year round.  We are currently working with www.getcomposting.com to offer residents in Shropshire specially-discounted prices including a Buy One Get One Half Price offer.”

Home composting – top tips for Christmas

Home Composting is easy to do all year round.  Here are some great tips to help you keep a good thing going over the Christmas period.  You’ll be surprised how many Christmas items can be composted.

  • Make your compost mixture more a-peel-ing.  At Christmas we always eat much more and produce more food waste than at any other time of the year.  Your compost bin will really appreciate the peelings from your tasty winter vegetables and festive fruits such as satsumas and clementines.
  • Warm up your worms.  Wood ash from open fires can be put into your compost bin.  Let it cool right down first though: you don’t want to cook the worms and other little critters working hard to produce your compost.
  • Give your mix a Christmas present.  Plain wrapping paper (non metallic/plastic) and gift tags can be scrunched up and added to the mix, but if you do, make sure you add it gradually and mix with your fruit and veg peelings to get the right balance.  Cardboard packaging from Christmas toys and gifts will add fibre and structure to your bin, as well as paper napkins, Christmas crackers, inners and party hats.
  • Wish your compost bin a Happy New Year.  The remnants of your New Year’s Eve party will also be a welcome addition to your compost bin.  Nut shells, wooden cocktail sticks, paper plates and some party food packaging.  Natural corks from wine can also be added but will take longer to break down.
  • Twelfth Night.  When the festivities have drawn to a close for another year, if there is any room left in your compost bin you can add those natural home-made decorations, the holly and the ivy, mistletoe, paper chains and other natural / compostable decorations.

For more information visit www.recycleforshropshire.com.