International Compost Awareness Week 2025: How to create your own compost
4th May – 10th May
This week aims to raise public awareness about the benefits of composting and using compost to create healthier soil.
What is composting?
Composting is the process of recycling organic waste to produce nutrient-rich soil. By creating your own compost, you are helping to close the loop, reducing waste and diverting organic materials from landfills.
Composting has many benefits including reducing the need for transporting waste, which saves energy and reduces emissions from vehicles. Biodiversity is another vital benefit; compost creates a habitat for worms and other insects, which is important for ecosystem balance and soil health.
How do I create my own compost?
Here are some tips on how to get started:
1. Choose a location and start your compost pile
You can either start with a pile on the ground or use a compost bin (a bin can help avoid any mess). Choose an area that is well-drained, well ventilated, is in partial shade, and is easily accessible to add materials and to turn the pile.
2. Use your materials- don’t let it go to waste!
Nitrogen-rich materials – You can use fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and tea bags. Avoid using food waste such as meat, fish, and other cooked food as this can create unpleasant odours and can attract pests.
Carbon-rich materials – Add in some brown waste, such as dry leaves, twigs, wood chips and shredded paper. This gives the pile a good mix of materials, allowing for moisture balance and aeration.
3. Large materials
Chop/shred any larger items that you put in to speed up the breakdown process.
4. Mix & moisten
Aeration is important – turn the pile every 1 – 2 weeks to speed up the decomposition process. Your pile should be slightly damp but not wet. A rule of thumb is if it’s too dry then add water, if it’s too wet then add brown waste.
5. Let nature work its magic!
After a few months to a year, you will have dark, crumbly, earthy soil. Use around your garden, on flower beds, and in plant pots to help your plants thrive!
Here are our premium compost materials available, produced locally at our Berkshire facility. Our compost products are PAS 100 Accredited, peat free, and Ph 9. The compost provides benefits, such as a slow release of nutrients and minerals, insulates and increases soil temperatures, and stimulates root growth. Take a look to get a head start on growing your perfect garden!
