Reducing the amount of household waste reduces the amount of waste being sent to landfill. This reduces the production of the 'greenhouse' gases, which damage the ozone layer. Home made compost is the best possible free supply of soil conditioner for your garden or plants and an alternative to expensive, environmentally harmful artificial fertilisers and peat.

What can be put in a composter
If it will rot it can be composted. For best results, it is important to use a mixture of materials. Grass mowings and soft young weeds rot quickly, they work as 'activators' and get the composting started. Older and tougher plant material rots slowly and will give body to the finished compost.

Where can I purchase a composter?
Rutland County Council has teamed up with Straight plc to offer top quality home composters at a fraction of the recommended retail prices (£8 for a small composter, £12 for a full size version). This offer is only available to Rutland residents.

Compost bins are available to purchase from www.rutland.getcomposting.com

* For rapid results create a good mix of garden and kitchen waste

* Regular stirring and layering of fruit, vegetables and garden waste will help create ventilation channels helping the composting process.

* Add scrunched up cardboard randomly to aerate the compost.

* Placing the composter in a sunny part of the garden will increase the temperature inside the unit, thus accelerating the composting process

* To ensure good circulation, a layer of twigs, cut flowers or remains of plants can be placed at the bottom of the composter.

* Shredding green waste prior to composting will help speed up the process. This also produces better quality compost.

* To prevent vermin from being attracted to your composter turn the material regularly and place a metal sheet or chicken wire under your composter.