UK Compost Week 2025

March 10th-16th is officially UK Compost Week 2025, an annual initiative designed to raise
awareness of the environmental benefits of composting and encourage people to get out in
their gardens and give composting a go for themselves.

As a company that is committed to promoting sustainable living and environmentally friendly
practices, we’re big fans of anything that helps create a healthier natural environment and
UK Compost Week does exactly that by helping to educate the public on the importance of
composting organic materials to create healthier soils and reduce landfill waste.
But what exactly are the benefits of composting? Let’s take a look!

The Benefits of Composting.

Composting offers numerous environmental and personal benefits, such as:

• Reducing Landfill Waste: By composting organic materials like vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags and grass cuttings, we can divert waste from landfills and decrease methane emissions.
• Enhancing Soil Health: Compost enriches soil by providing essential nutrients, improving soil structure and promoting beneficial microbial activity, leading to healthier plant growth. ​
• Conserving Water: Soils treated with compost have improved moisture retention, reducing the need for frequent watering and conserving this precious resource.
• Reducing Your Carbon Footprint: Composting minimises the need for chemical fertilisers, whose production and transportation contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By using compost, you can support a more sustainable and circular approach to gardening and waste management. ​

How to Make Your Own Compost Heap.

Starting a compost heap in your garden is a straightforward process that offers many
benefits. Here’s how to get started!

Choose a Suitable Location: Select a level, well-drained spot in your garden for your
compost bin or heap. Positioning it directly on soil allows beneficial organisms to access the
compost, aiding decomposition. ​

Gather Compostable Materials: Collect a balanced mix of ‘greens’ (nitrogen-rich materials)
and ‘browns’ (carbon-rich materials):​

• Greens: Vegetable peelings, fruit scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings.​
• Browns: Cardboard, paper, dried leaves, wood chips.​

Aim for a ratio of approximately 25% greens to 75% browns to ensure efficient
decomposition.

Layer the Materials: Begin with a layer of coarse materials like twigs to aid aeration.
Alternate layers of greens and browns, ensuring materials are in small pieces to accelerate
breakdown. ​

Maintain Moisture and Aeration: Keep the compost moist, similar to a wrung-out sponge.
Periodically turn the heap to introduce oxygen, which is vital for the microorganisms breaking
down the materials.

Monitor and Wait: With proper maintenance, compost can be ready in as little as two to three
weeks. It’s ready when it resembles dark, crumbly soil and has an earthy smell.

Please note that while you can create a simple heap, using a compost bin helps contain the
materials and maintains a neater appearance. Bins can be purchased from a wide number of
retailers or constructed from materials like wooden pallets.

Join Us in Celebrating UK Compost Week!

If you fancy taking part in UK Compost Week 2025, be sure to share pictures of your best (or
worst!) efforts with us on our social channels!