Compost bins can be used to breakdown all of the green waste arising in your kitchen and garden
- Fruit and Vegetable peelings
- Garden clippings
- Tea-bags
- Egg shells and cardboard egg boxes
- Bits of newspaper and cardboard
Layer the materials in your compost bin and wait about 6 - 12 months for your home made soil improver to arrive. This should also cut down on your waste by approximately 30 – 35%.
Alternatively using tiger worms (vermi-composting) you can expand the range of materials which you can compost as the worms will also digest
- Cooked foods
- Pasta
- Bread
- Meat
Composters are available for sale at the Navan, Kells and Trim Recycling Centres
They cost €35 which now includes a free Kitchen Caddy for your food waste. Alternatively if you just require the kitchen caddy on it's own - this can be purchased for the value for money sum of €5.
Further advice and information are available at http://www.stopfoodwaste.ie/home-composting/
Other Suppliers and Advice
Eco-Ireland.
Suppliers of worms and wormeries based in Co, Kildare. Eco-Ireland's standard wormery comes complete with everything you need including the composting worms. It is a layered unit with a capacity of 92 litres and has the option of adding additional trays for even larger capacity. See http://www.eco-ireland.com/index.html or telephone 01 4582560 for further details.
EcoShop.
Suppliers of two models of wormeries, the Can-O-Worms and wooden bins in three different sizes with an optional educational viewing window. The ECOSHOP also supply worms and have plenty of advice to offer those starting off in this type of composting. You can visit the ECOSHOP at Glen of the Downs Garden Centre, Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow. Contact details: Tel: 01 2872914. e-mail: contact@ecoshop.ie. website: http://www.ecoshop.ie/index.php
Element Green.
Suppliers of worm composting systems (Can-O-Worms) complete with worms, bedding and containers. Deliver to your door. Contact them by phone, post or e-mail. Element Green, Acorn Business Campus, Mahon Industrial Park, Blackrock, Cork. Tel: 021 - 453 6153. e-mail: info@elementgreen.com. www.elementgreen.com/index.htm
Grow Green Products.
Suppliers of worm composting systems (Can-O-Worms) complete with worms, bedding and containers. Deliver to your door. Also supply commercial scale worm systems and food waste digesters. Contact them at Grow Green Products, Killiskey Cross, Ashford, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 0404 49893. E-mail:growgreensolutions@eircom.net. For more info on their range of products check out www.growgreensolutions.com/index.html
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare. Tel: 045-860133. E-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie. Check out the IPCC website for expert advice on how to compost garden and household waste using compost heaps or wormeries to encourage peat-free gardening. The website gives detailed instructions on how to set up a home-made wormery. Website: http://www.ipcc.ie/
Jimmy Austin.
Supplier of brandling worms and advice on how to operate a wormery. Contact by post or phone: Garadice, Kilcock, Co Meath. Tel: 086 8157058.
Wrigglers Worm Farm.
Suppliers of compost worms and worm composting systems (Can-O-Worms). Can be sent in the post. Contact at Ardvoley, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim. Tel: 071 9164880
Wiggly Wigglers.
Suppliers of mixed species worms and bedding to start off your very own worm bin. For UK residents there is even a freephone number to answer questions. Worms shipped by post. Check out their site here - http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/ Or contact by post: Wiggly wigglers, Lower Blakemere Farm, Blakemere, Herefordshire HR2 9PX, UK. Tel: 01981-500391