31 Days, 31 Ways to an eco-friendly New Year
Day 11 - Get composting
Did you know that 20- 30% of the waste we currently throw away could be composted at home instead of piling up at landfill? At landfill all of that potentially compostable waste gets buried under lots of other rubbish. The lack of oxygen means it can’t compost and instead decomposes releasing methane, a harmful and potent greenhouse gas.
So, why not start composting at home. You’ll reduce your waste, your carbon footprint and methane emissions from landfill plus your compost will break down into a dark, fluffy substance rich in nutrients which you can then use for your garden and potting plants. This also means you won’t need chemical fertilisers.
What can you put in your compost?
Fruits and vegetables
Eggshells
Coffee grounds and filters
Bread & Grains
Tea bags
Nut shells
Shredded newspaper & paper towels
Cardboard & paper
Garden trimmings
Grass clippings
Houseplants
Hay and straw
Leaves
Sawdust
Wood chips
Cotton and wool rags
Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
Hair and fur
Fireplace ashes.
Many of Vera-Bee's products are home compostable when they are no longer useful, including our wax wraps, sponges, toothbrushes and all our packaging. That's because we are completely plastic free.
How to start composting
🍊 Get yourself something to compost in – there are lots of different options online. Or you could build your own – this blog post has lots of ideas for building your own eco-friendly compost bin.
🍊 Pick a dry shady place near a water supply.
🍊Your compost needs three basic ingredients: Browns (e.g. dead leaves, branches, twigs), Greens (e.g grass, fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds) and Water. Add your compost in layers, moistening dry bits as you go. Make sure you chop up anything large as it will compost quicker.
🍊 Turn your compost once a week with a fork to add air and keep the temperature even.
🍊 When the material at the bottom is dark and rich in colour, your compost is ready to use! This typically takes four to six months, but it could be ready in as little as two.
That's it. It really is that easy.
So, get composting and do a little bit for your planet.
With kindness,
Charlie & Colette
xx
