Why Home Composting Matters More Than You Think
Composting is one of those small actions that feels humble but delivers a big impact. It’s nature’s recycling system, turning food scraps and garden waste into rich, nourishing compost instead of landfill waste.
Yet for many households, composting is still seen as something “extra” rather than essential. In reality, home composting is one of the simplest ways to cut your carbon footprint, reduce waste, and create healthier soil, all from your own garden or balcony.
How Home Composting Really Works
When organic waste like food scraps, paper, or garden clippings decompose in the right conditions (with air, moisture, and microorganisms), they break down into a dark, crumbly substance called compost.
This compost can be added back to soil to improve texture, increase water retention, and return valuable nutrients to plants. It’s a complete, closed-loop process where what you take from nature goes back to nature.
When those same materials end up in landfill, they decompose without oxygen, releasing methane — a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting prevents that by keeping waste in a natural cycle.
Why Composting Matters More Than Ever
It Reduces Landfill Waste
The average UK household throws away more than 250 kilograms of food each year. Most of it could be composted. By composting at home, you instantly reduce the amount of waste heading to landfill and cut the emissions caused by rotting food.
It Enriches the Soil Naturally
Compost acts like a natural fertiliser that restores soil health without the need for chemicals. It improves water retention and gives plants a slow, steady nutrient boost.
It Fights Climate Change
Every bit of organic matter you compost keeps methane-producing waste out of landfill. On a large scale, composting can significantly reduce emissions from the food and waste industries.
It Saves Money
Homemade compost replaces the need to buy fertilisers or soil improvers. By using what you already have, such as food scraps and garden waste, you’re turning waste into something valuable.
Everyday Items You Didn’t Know You Could Compost
It’s not just fruit and vegetable scraps that belong in the compost bin. Here are a few everyday items that can also go in:
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Tea bags (if they’re plastic-free) and coffee grounds
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Paper towels and unbleached napkins
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Shredded newspaper or cardboard
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Compostable food bags and bin liners
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Eggshells and nutshells
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Garden clippings and dried leaves
Eco Green Living’s certified Compostable Food & Freezer Bags and Bin Liners are perfect for collecting scraps and waste. They are designed to break down completely in composting conditions, leaving no microplastics behind.
How to Start Composting Easily at Home
Starting a compost system doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you have a garden, a small outdoor space, or even just a balcony, you can get started with a few simple steps:
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Choose your compost setup
A bin, tumbler, or even a simple pile can work. Make sure air can flow through. -
Balance your ingredients
Add a mix of “greens” (food scraps) and “browns” (dry leaves or cardboard). This balance keeps your compost healthy and odour-free. -
Keep it moist but not soggy
Your compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Too dry? Add greens. Too wet? Add browns. -
Turn it regularly
Every few weeks, mix the compost to add oxygen and speed up decomposition. -
Be patient
Compost takes anywhere from three to nine months to mature. When it’s dark, crumbly, and smells like soil, it’s ready.
For small-space composting, look into bokashi bins or countertop composters. They’re easy to manage and ideal for apartment living.
Final Thoughts
Composting is more than just a way to handle waste. It’s a small, powerful act that restores balance to nature. By turning scraps into soil, you close the loop on waste and reduce your household’s environmental impact.
And when you use certified compostable products to collect your scraps, you make the process even cleaner and safer for the planet.
Ready to start? Explore our certified compostable range and join thousands of UK families turning everyday waste into something wonderful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I compost at home without a garden?
Yes. You can use a bokashi bin or countertop composter indoors. They’re compact, low-odour, and perfect for flats or small spaces.
What’s the difference between compostable and biodegradable waste bags?
Compostable bags, such as those certified to EN 13432, break down fully in composting conditions without leaving microplastics. Biodegradable bags may still contain petroleum-based materials and take longer to degrade.
How long does home composting take?
Depending on the mix of materials, temperature, and moisture, compost usually takes three to nine months to mature. Turning it regularly helps speed up the process.
Can I compost cooked food or meat?
It’s best to avoid these in traditional compost heaps, as they can attract pests. Sealed systems such as bokashi bins can safely handle them.
Are Eco Green Living products suitable for home composting?
Yes. Our Compostable Bin Liners and Food & Freezer Bags are certified and designed to break down naturally under composting conditions, leaving nothing harmful behind.