Production of your own compost saves you money by reducing the need to buy fertilisers or commercial composts. As well as this it reduces the amount of waste going to landfill, and reduces the need for peat based products, which degrade a valuable habitat and carbon sink.

Most garden waste can be composted but larger items should be shredded to aid rapid breakdown. Compost piles sometimes require airing, wetting, or drying and some care needs to be taken to ensure that the amount of woody and green material stays roughly the same.Composting can be done simply in a heap, a homemade bin e.g. made from old pallets or in a bought composting bin or rotating bin.

Recycle now is offering compost bins at reduced rates to Mendip residents. Call 0845 0770757 and quote the word SNOW.

Mendip District Council will be able to inform you of green waste collection options. Visit the website, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01749 648999.

The Garden Organic website has a section on home composting, with full details of what you can compost and how.