Composting

Order your home compost bin

You can order a home composting bin from us for £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 

When composting, you should aim for an equal 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. Put these foods in your food waste bin. 

Collecting waste

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

Composting timelines

• Composting takes nine to 12 months. 
• Stirring the heap occasionally can speed up the process. 
• Check moisture levels: 
  • if it's too dry, add water and more greens. 
  • if it's too wet, mix in more browns. 

When is compost ready?

Your compost is ready when it is: 

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

If there are large bits that haven't yet broken down, put these in the bin for composting again.

Free compost for community groups and schools

Community gardens, schools and other groups in Belfast can apply for free 1,000 litre bulk bags of high-quality compost. Groups can apply for up to three bags over the year. We will allocate compost on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

The compost is made by Natural World Products, a local company that processes the food and garden waste we collect from Belfast households. We’d love to see it going full circle by helping to create a greener city. 

Eligibility for free compost

This scheme is for schools, charities and community groups, not individuals or businesses. Applicants must be from non-profit organisations.

Compost delivery

Compost is deliveredy by a lorry with a pallet truck and unloaded onto concrete or tarmac. Each group must make sure their delivery point is accessible and suitable.

Each group applying for and using the compost does so at their own risk. We are not liable for any damage, loss of property or personal injury that may result from using the compost.

Apply for free compost

To apply, please email [email protected].

Your email must include:

• your name and contact details, including a phone number,
• the name of your group or organisation, and
• an address and location for compost to be delivered.

Need more help with composting?

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

If you have a question, you can email [email protected] for more information.