Council Services » The Easy guide to Composting   Did you know that about half of what we throw into the garbage bin is food and garden waste? Mixed with the rest of our garbage the potential of these organic materials is lost. Organic materials are usually wasted in landfills where they contribute to environmental problems like the greenhouse effect and water pollution. Food waste, leaves, grass clippings, soiled newspaper and egg shells are examples of the types of wastes that can be turned into a rich, organic soil conditioner for the garden. Composting is good for the environment Composting is great: It's natural & inexpensive It saves natural resources (water and organic matter) It's good for the soil It's great for the garden! Compost provides many benefits. It's: Natural Inexpensive Saves natural resources (water and organic matter) Good for the soil Great for the garden! By turning your food and garden waste into compost, you can make a difference to our environment, by: Reducing the amount of waste you dispose Reducing the use of artificial fertilisers Improving your local soil quality Creating a more natural, healthier (and happier) place to live. What you can compost Anything that was once a plant or animal can be composted, including, fruit and vegetable peelings, newspaper, grass clippings, weeds, tea leaves, coffee grounds, egg shells, old potting mix, dead flowers, human and animal hair. Hint: Until you are an experienced composter, it's best to avoid placing dairy products and pet droppings in your compost.   4 easy steps to great compost 1. Choosing the site Your compost heap or bin is best placed in a well-drained, sunny position. 2. Collecting the ingredients Your compost needs a mixture of rich organic (or nitrogen-rich) materials such as fruit and vegetable peelings, fresh grass clippings, weeds and manure; and nitrogen-poor materials such as dry leaves, woody twigs, paper, straw and wood ash. Add some completed compost or rich soil to your compost ingredient list, this will provide the micro-organisms that help break down the compost ingredients and turn them into a rich, soil-like compost. Hints: Keep a bucket with a well-sealed lid in the kitchen to collect food scraps. Use the lawn mower to chop up coarse garden prunings. 3. Layering To build the compost, start with a thick layer of coarse material, such as twigs or mulch, follow with a thin layer of food scraps, then a layer of mature grass clippings, then a layer of manure and so on. Hint: Add water to the heap after each layer. 4. Maintaining your compost It is important to add air to the compost so it doesn't smell. This can be done by occasionally turning it with a garden fork or by placing garden stakes or pipes through the heap to allow air in. Hint: Don't let the compost get too wet - it should be just moist. If you have a compost heap, make sure it is covered to stop it getting overly wet. In just 8 weeks your compost will be ready to use! How to use compost Use instead of potting mix for planting seedlings. Encourage healthy plant growth by digging in a layer of compost around the drip line in trees. Compost can be applied twice a year to natives and as a top dressing for lawns. More information See the easy compost fix-it guide!