Why building a compost heap is good for your garden and the environment
It’s the time of year when you’re getting out into the garden more. The weather is getting warmer, and you might have an increase in garden waste. Before throwing it out into your general rubbish bin, consider adding your waste to a compost heap - it’s not too difficult to build your own! Plus, by building your own compost heap, you’re creating a sustainable way to minimise damage to the environment, all in your own home!
Why are compost heaps good for the environment?
Composting is an eco-friendly way to get rid of garden & kitchen waste. It will help you recycle and avoid sending more waste into landfills.
Unfortunately, more and more biodegradable waste is being sent to landfill each year. In 2021, there were approximately 6.8 million tonnes of biodegradable waste sent to landfill, which was an increase from 6.1 million tonnes in 2020.
Sending biodegradable waste to landfill is especially harmful because of how it breaks down. In landfills, waste is compacted, and it means that organic waste will start to break down without any oxygen. This will lead to the waste producing methane - a greenhouse case.
When biodegradable waste starts to break down in a compost heap, it’s in an oxygen-rich environment, and helps to reduce the production of methane - which in turn helps lower our carbon footprint.
Read our zero waste guide to learn how to reduce waste and live more sustainably
How to build your own compost heap
Now you know more about the benefits, it’s time to build your own.
Ideally, you’ll want to have about a metre squared of space to build your compost heap. It might be tempting to put it in the corner of your garden, out of sight, but we encourage you to have it more centrally. Make it a part of the garden you can enjoy - you’ll be able to use the compost often and add waste scraps to it frequently.
Start with a layer of twigs, straw, or sticks to help with airflow.
Add a layer of green materials - these might come from your kitchen - such as vegetable peels, coffee grounds, or if you’ve recently cut the grass, it could be grass cuttings. Green materials will provide nitrogen to your compost heap.
Add a layer of brown materials such as dried leaves, branches, shredded newspaper, or cardboard. Brown materials will provide your compost heap with carbon.
You can keep on layering, and turn the compost heap with a garden pitchfork every few weeks - this will help aerate the pile and help with the composting process.
You’ll be able to start using the compost when it has an earthy smell.
International Compost Awareness Week
If you’re wondering when to get started with your compost heap - there really is no time like the present. Did you know there is even an International Compost Awareness Week! Between 5th - 11th May, countries all over the world recgonise the importance compost plays, and how collectively we can all work towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Why not start building your own compost heap during this week?
Alright, let's wrap this up, shall we? Composting? It's not just a win for your garden, but a big thumbs up for Mother Earth too. By getting your hands dirty (literally!) and creating a compost heap, you're doing your part to cut down on waste and make our world a more sustainable place. It's as easy as pie and incredibly satisfying, turning what would have been waste into a treasure for your garden. So, the next time you're about to chuck out those kitchen scraps or garden cuttings, give composting a thought. It's your chance to make a real difference. It's one small step towards a greener, healthier planet, and trust us, every bit truly counts!
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