I was asked yesterday what I do with all the junk mail that I receive and I was actually surprised when the person I spoke to was not aware of the mail preference service, so I thought I make a quick post in  case any of the readers of this blog (there seems to be quite a few!! but no comments to reflect that!!!) are similarly unaware:

http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/what/

I would encourage everyone to register at the above site, as it grossly cuts down on the junk mail that you receive and it is free!!  I am a big proponent of dealing with environmental problems early on in the cycle, i.e. reducing consumption.  If you do not receive direct mailing then you do not have the problem of how to dispose of it.!!

The fact that much of this direct mail shots are glossy and contain nasty ink chemicals (as opposed to vegetable oil based ink used in other mediums) means that they are not suitable for compost bins.

1. Get a bin!! Many local authorities provide compost bins for free or for a nominal sum.  Look out the environment or waste department and give them a call.

2. Think about the site for your compost bin.  Clear an area in the garden to the bare/loose soil.  Ensure the site is easy to get to top it up (a compost bin is no use for the environment if it is an empty one!).  It is also important to site it in an area that gets the sun and lets that solar energy get to work!

3. Start collecting ingredients – have a small ice cream tub or similar under your sink for all the vegetable peelings , tea bags and egg shells.  You can also compost cereal packets and similar (toilet rolls are often forgotten about).  Do not compost meat, fish or cooked food.

4. Collect outside ingredients – collect grass cuttings, weeds, wood chips, dead leaves.

5. Starting the process – a good way to start is by layering the contents in your bin – start with brown ingredients, then green and so on.  You many need to add water if the mix seems a little dry.

6. The green and brown mix – a careful balance must be maintained between green ingredients (such as kitchen scraps and grass cuttings, etc) and brown ingredients (leaves, cardboard, etc).  A good rule to start with is to have 2 parts brown: 1 part green.

7.  The waiting game – composting is no overnight experience.  You will have to wait for a good few months before the compost is useable.  Nature takes time to work!  To help it along on its way it is a good idea to turn the turn regularly to circulate oxygen in the mix.

8. Keeping topping up!

9. Check it! One the compost turns into a product that is dark, thick, moist and crumbly (time taken depends on the season and climate) it is ready to use.

10. Use it! Compost makes an excellent quality fertiliser for all garden requirements.