Let's get composting!

Well it wouldn't fit through the letterbox but FINALLY it has arrived! My new compost bin!

£10 purchase from http://www.nel.getcomposting.com/ (cheaper from here, because the Council pay part of the cost before you! AND you get a little caddy for the kitchen)

Actually if you look carefully there are two here, as I took advantage of the buy one get one half price offer. There are therefore also two composting kitchen caddies, for peelings, flower heads etc.

If you live in North East Lincolnshire you can also get a copy of a little book on composting for free (RRP £4.95) and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet, to help you on your way!

http://www.greenbooks.co.uk/Book/41/Composting.html

 Getting greener

  This is brilliant, because the theme for this week's Rubbish Diet Challenge has been all about gardening.

I've been challenged to plant a few salad crops instead of buying large lettuces that I inevitably don't finish, and come in polythene wrappers - if I had my own in the garden I could just go and get the leaves I need for that meal!

I must admit I am not green fingered in the slightest, but with Spring in the air, I am keen to make the most of our garden. Most of it is taken up with a trampoline, admittedly, but the idea of the satisfaction of growing my own basics; carrots, onions etc. is very tempting!

Back to bad habits

This week has been a slump for the rubbish diet with a whole black bin bag going out for the collectors
 :( Serves me right for being smug last week!
Lots of recycling went too, nicely separated, but somehow everything I used this week seemed to have packaging that had to go in the regular bin. Future Hubby remembered to put the recycling boxes out, so big pat on the back for him!

Must make more effort with shopping in the next three weeks.

It's worth seeing how others have been getting on with their Rubbish Diet too :
http://www.beyondthebluebin.com/ is one of my favourites!

Going green in the garden

The demonstration compost bin we take to schools and community groups

It may not be spring but we're turning our attention in this post to going all green in the garden. Garden waste is becoming an issue that’s getting people all hot under the collar at the moment in North East Lincolnshire. But it could be getting all hot in a compost heap instead!
The council isn’t obliged by law to make a doorstep collection of garden waste, and when the first bins were put out for this use it was paid for using funding from Defra. Unfortunately we’re living in hard financial times and NELincs council may well have to introduce a charge for this service in 2012. Many councils already make a charge to collect the garden waste instead of expecting people to take it to a council tip, but the prices charged range widely.
Of course any moving of green waste from the house means extra pollution whether it’s a public or a private vehicle taking it away.
The nutrients in green waste can be used as a perfect soil conditioner for your own garden, and allsorts can be included such as grass cuttings, plants, even egg boxes and tea bags! For more information to know what to compost or not go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/environment/recycling--rubbish-and-waste/recycling/home-composting/ or for a reduced price compost bin visit
http://www.nel.getcomposting.com/

We’d love to hear from you if you’re a keen composter, live in North East Lincolnshire and would like to offer your advice to anyone who’s struggling to compost or is just starting out.
Please phone 01472 325843 and ask about becoming a Compost Champion!