Composting is a process of breaking down organic matter. Organic matter is your kitchen waste such as vegetable peelings, fruit skins, and tea bags but also your garden waste, such as plant cuttings, sawdust and leaves. The material is decomposed or broken down by micro-organisms like ants, earthworms, fruit flies and, most importantly, bacteria.

Home composting usually takes place in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) and produces humus - darker, much richer soil that has many uses in the garden, it can be used as a soil conditioner adding nutrients, soil fertilizer that supports plants’ growth and in some cases as a natural pesticide. There is a host of available sites where you can learn much more about composting (e.g. Home Composting, BBC’s step by step guide and WasteAware).