We provide a kerbside composting scheme for households in South Derbyshire and offer subsidised composter units for all residents to compost waste at home.
Kerbside Composting (Brown Bin) Scheme
» What can I put in my Brown Bin?
» Brown Bin Frequently Asked Questions
» Find out your collection day for kerbside composting / recycling
Discount Home Composting Scheme
Home Composting is one of the most worthwhile recycling activities you can do. Did you know that about a third of your rubbish is compostable?
Compost
- Helps Your Garden
- Feeds and improves your soil
- Suppresses weeds
- Improves growth of plants
Composting
- Helps Our Environment
- Saves landfill space
- Recycles nutrients
- Prevents soil erosion
- Saves You Money
- Free soil nutrient
- Less watering required
What is a Composter?
Composters are special plastic bins for the garden. Waste deposited in a composter rots down to make garden compost or mulch. Composting with a composter prevents odour that you would normally find from an open compost heap. The composters supplied through South Derbyshire’s scheme have a lid and a hatch to access the finished compost.
Why Compost?
The majority of waste is disposed of in landfill sites throughout the country. South Derbyshire are committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill sites. Analysis of South Derbyshire’s waste shows that 38% of the average household wheeled bin is comprised of compostable organic material.
Organic waste is biodegradable and when it is buried in landfill sites it rots and produces methane gas. Methane is a powerful ‘greenhouse’ gas and can escape into buildings near landfill sites and lead to explosions. It is not necessary to send organic waste to landfill sites as it can be easily converted into a useful product by householders. Compost bins can be purchased which convert food waste and other organic material into compost. Composting is one of the Best Practicable Environmental Options for the reduction of waste to landfill. It is possible to reduce 38% of the waste in a bin without causing any environmental damage. This is more environmentally friendly than recycling as no energy input is required for transport or in the recycling process.
How to get the best results from your compost bin.
Where is the best place to put a compost bin?
For the best results your compost bin should be positioned in a sunny spot on well drained soil. The soil below the bin should be loosened to improve drainage and increase access for worms and bacteria. Place a few inches of kitchen waste on the soil at the bottom of the bin, this will attract worms and bacteria to the bin and increase the rate of compost formation. For the best results, organic waste should be put in the bin in layers of different material between 6 12 cm deep.
What can I put in my Composter?
You can compost almost anything that is organic, i.e. anything that has been grown. This includes:
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fruit and vegetable scraps
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teabags and coffee grounds
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eggshells
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grass cuttings
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prunings and leaves
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small amounts of ripped up paper and card
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pet and human hair
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pet straw and woodshavings
To ensure a successful result you should avoid home composting:
For best results, ensure your compost bin contains some grass cuttings or vegetarian animal manure. They heat up and speed up the composting process. However they should be layered with other organic waste to avoid slime formation.
It is essential that your compost bin is kept warm and moist. Placing the bin in the sun and out of the wind is therefore preferable. Ensure you always put the lid on your compost bin and do not let the compost dry out.
To ensure that air is getting to the centre of the bin, turn the material regularly. This will also speed up the decomposition process.
How do you know when the compost is ready?
Your compost is ready for use when the material does not resemble anything that you put in the bin. Collect the compost from the small hatch at the bottom of the bin. The compost can then be spread on the garden where it will act as a fertiliser.
How can I order one?
This offer is open to Derbyshire residents only. Please call 0845 0770757, or visit the WRAP website using the link below, or print off and post the downloadable form:
Get a WRAP subsidised composter (buy online)
- Summary: Form for you to print, complete and return.
- File Format: Adobe PDF (help and accessibility)
- File Size: 245 kb
- Estimated Download Time: 30s (56k dialup) / 3s (broadband)
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For further details about the kerbside composting scheme please contact us.
Environmental Services are proud to have been granted CharterMark
South Derbyshire District Council
Waste Development Team
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH
Telephone: 01283 595795
Email: please use form below
page ref: LGSL 535
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