Separate your organic kitchen waste and garden waste from all other waste, put it in your compost bin and mix regularly.

Getting a balance between green and brown waste is essential. A good mix of browns and greens achieves the best balance and also helps with the aeration and amount of water in the pile.  Generally add two parts green to one part brown - too much of one or the other and you won’t make good compost.

'Browns' are dry and dead plant materials such as straw, dry brown weeds, autumn leaves, and wood chips or sawdust.

'Greens' are fresh plant materials such as grass cuttings, green weeds, and plant cuttings from the garden, fruit peelings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags.