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Frequently Asked Questions - Composters and Food Digesters

Composter Questions:

Food Digester Questions:

 

Where can I purchase a Composter?

Hampshire residents can buy composters at bargain prices.  There are three types available:

  • ecoMax 220 litre (£17)
  • ecoMax 330 litre (£20)
  • Komp 250 litre (£40)

To order a composter visit Recyclenow.com (this is an external hyperlink) or phone 0845 077 0757. Delivery is included in the price. Alternatively, you can print the composter order form (337 Kb) PDF logo and send a cheque.

 

You must be a Hampshire resident. Offer available while stocks last. An information booklet is supplied with each composter.

 

Composters are also available from good garden nurseries.

 

Where shall I site my compost bin?

Your bin must be placed directly on the ground, not on concrete, tarmac or patio slabs. Worms and bugs must be able to enter the bin from the soil below to aid the rotting process. If you find worms in your compost bin it means its working really well! Worms speed up the process still further.

 

It's probably best fairly close to the back door so its easy to pop out with kitchen waste. You can also get yourself a kitchen caddie with a lid for daily use.

 

What can I put in my compost bin?

Composting is easy but you do need to get the ingredients right for the fastest results.  It's all a question of balance, and in composting terms that means a balance of greens and browns.  There are some things which must not be put in a composter or it will not work and you will attract pests.

 

The Greens

  • Fruit and vegetable peelings and scraps (uncooked)
  • Tea leaves, bags and coffee grounds
  • Crushed eggshells
  • Grass cuttings, hedge cuttings and most weeds
  • Annual plants and flowers
  • Cut flowers

The Browns

  • Straw and hay
  • Wood chippings and sawdust
  • Cardboard egg boxes
  • Old perennial plants
  • Shredded paper and cardboard
  • Shredded or chopped wood prunings
  • Leaves
  • Feathers
  • Bedding from pet cages (vegetarian only eg guinea pigs, rabbits etc)

Items not to be composted

  • Cooked vegetables or fruit
  • Meat, fish
  • Bones
  • Cheese and dairy products
  • Diseased roots or plants
  • Large unchopped woody branches
  • Cat or dog litter
  • Disposable nappies
  • Plastic, glass or metal
  • Coal or coke ash

Greens break down quickly and keep things moist. They also produce nitrogen (a harmless plant food).

Browns give compost its fibre and structure. They are rich in carbon, which your garden likes. Browns also create air pockets, which helps the composting process.

 

My Composter is smelling - why is this?

It's probably too wet or you've put in too many grass cuttings. Leave the lid off in dry weather so the excess liquid can evaporate. Remove some of the grass if there's a lot in there and really mix in some "brown material" such as straw or shredded cardboard. A working compost bin with the lid on should not smell.
 

I think I should have some compost by now - what's gone wrong?

Your bin is probably too cold. Leave the lid on and move it to a sunnier area. Or it could be too dry. Add a bit of water and mix in some soft "green material" like vegetable peelings. Or it could need more air. Loosen it up with a fork and mix in some new material.

 

Will my Composter attract rats?

A composter should not attract rats. There is much more information on how to deter rats on the Recycle Now website (this is an external hyperlink).

 

When I open the lid of my Composter I get a swarm of flies - why is this?

Some insects are needed to make good compost but swarms indicate an imbalance. You've probably got too much "green material" in there. Try a covering of "brown material".
 

Why would I have ants in my Composter? Would they disrupt the process at all?

Ants won't do any harm, and may help by creating air pockets with their tunnels. If you want to deter them try watering the compost for a few days.

 

I'd still like further information, where should I go?

More information on composting is available at www.recyclenow.com/compost (this is an external hyperlink).

This promotion is offered in partnership with WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme) (this is an external hyperlink).

If you would like further information on composting or recycling in general please telephone 01329 236100 or email customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.

 

 

Where can I purchase a Food Digester?

Food waste digesters can be purchased online, please visit the Recycle Now website (this is an external hyperlink).

 

Where should I site my Food Digester?

This depends on the type you buy. Some must go in a sunny spot in your garden, others in the shade. More information is available from the Green Cone Company (this is an external hyperlink).

 

I've heard Fareham are carrying out a free trial of Food Digesters - can I take part?

Fareham Borough Council's trial has now finished.  The results showed that Food Digesters can remove a lot of food waste from the refuse bin, but residents must be careful which type they choose and how they site them.

 

Where can I get more information?

For more information, please visit the Green Cone website (this is an external hyperlink).