Composting at home

Order your home compost bin

You can order a home composting bin from us for just £10, including delivery. 

Order a compost bin

Turning your food and garden waste into compost is a great way to support the environment and reduce waste.

You’ll also get free, nutrient-rich food for your garden.

Why compost?

Composting your food and garden waste is a simple, eco-friendly way to: 

• reduce household waste,
• cut down on landfill use, and
• create free, nutrient-rich compost to feed your garden. 

How to use your compost bin

Placement 

Place your bin on bare soil in a sunny spot. 

If placing it on concrete or slabs, add a layer of paper, twigs, or existing compost at the bottom. 

What to compost 

Aim for a 50/50 mix of: 

• Greens (rich in nitrogen and moisture): 
  Fruit and vegetable scraps, grass cuttings, weeds, cut flowers 
• Browns (rich in carbon and structure): 
  Twigs, dead leaves, cardboard, shredded paper 

Do not compost: cooked food, meat, fish, or dairy. These should go in your council food waste bin. 

Collecting waste

Use a kitchen caddy or tub to collect food scraps. Empty it regularly into your compost bin or heap.

Composting timelines

• Composting takes 9 to 12 months. 
• Stirring the heap occasionally can speed up the process. 
• Check moisture levels: 
  • Too dry? Add water and more greens. 
  • Too wet? Mix in more browns. 

When is compost ready?

Your compost is ready when it is: 

• dark,
• crumbly, and
• moist like rich soil.

Any large bits not broken down can be returned to the bin for further composting. 

Need more help with composting?

Visit RecycleNow (link opens in new window) for a full list of compostable materials and frequently asked questions.

Have a question? Email environmentaloutreach@belfastcity.gov.uk for more information.