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Do you know the Dos and Don’ts of Composting?

Your Barna Recycling brown bin is perfect for compost materials and needs to be looked after. Including a good balance of wet waste and dry waste will keep your compost bin in good shape. The waste is processed into compost as is used as a natural, high quality fertiliser by local farmers and horticulturalists.

 

Here is a list of Dos and Don’ts of composting and a few tips on mastering it:

Brown Bin Dos:

Green ‘Wet’ Waste/ High in Nitrogen	Brown ‘Dry’ Waste/ High in Carbon
Vegetable Peels	Brown Paper/ Napkins
Garden Waste	Hay
Rotten Fruit	Straw
Coffee Grounds	Hair (Human & Pet)
Tea Bags/ Leaves	Hedge Clippings
Rinsed, Crushed Eggshells	Flowers
Dairy – Cheese & Yogurts	Pine Cones
Leftover Food	Saw Dust/Wood Shavings
Bread and Cereals	Paper Towels/Napkins

Brown Bin Don’ts:

Glass	Plastic Containers/ Plastic Bags
Metal	Cans
Clothes	Oils
Ashes	Hazardous Waste
Building Materials	Medical Waste

Tips and Tricks:

Cut scraps into small pieces	The smaller the pieces the quicker they decompose
Scatter pet hair	Helps discourage rodents
Make sure there is oxygen getting into your bin	Lack of oxygen will cause the microorganisms to produce harmful methane gas
Cover any layer of green waste with brown waste	Reduces flies, rodents and odour – Cover with a pile of dry leaves or fresh cut grass
Keep your compost bin in direct sun	This will speed up the decomposing process
Use biodegradable bin bags	Alternative to throwing loose food in the bin
Wrap food with newspaper	Will reduce odour and flies
Place newspaper on the bottom of the bin	This will lock in moisture
Attach an air freshener to the inside of the bin	This will lock out odour and keep flies away
Wash bin with anti – bacterial disinfectant every two months	This will get rid of any residues, kill germs and reduce odour