West Lothian Council delivers

Can I add potato peelings to the compost?

Potato peelings are always a discussion point. There are 2 schools of thought: one says do not put potato peelings or potatoes into the compost as you get potato plants growing next year with potential blight problems; the other side says that if you get potato plants, you can just pull them up. You choose what you want to do as both points of view are valid.

Can I compost leaves?

Because leaves take a long time to break down you should only add small amounts to your compost bin. Large quantities of leaves are best used for making leaf mould. Leaf mould can be applied in large amounts to improve soil structure or for making seed and potting mix. To make leaf mould simply place leaves in a separate compost bin or plastic sacks and water them if they are dry. If using plastic sacks, tie the sack shut and punch holes in the top. Your leaf mould will be ready in one or two years.

How can I stop the swarm of flies that comes out every time I take the lid off my compost bin?

These are most likely to be fruit flies, indicating that there is too much green waste in your bin. Cover the waste with brown materials or a thin layer of soil. You could also leave the lid of the compost bin off for a day or two to allow fruit fly predators such as birds to enter and eat the flies. Do not spray with fly spray.

What can I compost?

You should add green (wet) and brown (dry) materials to your compost. Green materials contain lots of nitrogen. They break down quickly and help to keep the compost moist. Brown materials contain lots of carbon. They break down more slowly and add structure to your compost. They also create air pockets which are important for air circulation. A good rule of thumb is to add the same amount of green and brown materials.

What can I do with the compost I produce at home?

There are a number of different uses for your home compost. Mulch - a layer of compost can be applied to the surface of soil. This will add nutrients, helping to encourage plant growth. Soil Conditioner - mix compost into the soil to improve structure and add nutrients. Lawn Conditioner - mix an equal amount of sand and fine compost and spread over your lawn. Seed and potting mix - mix equal amounts of soil and compost. Experiment to find out the best proportions.

What happens to the recyclable waste?

Waste from the brown bin is composted at West Lothian Recycling in Addiewell. The compost is used within the council for grounds maintenance or external forestry.Waste from the blue bin is sent to a local materials recycling facility. It is separated using a combination of automatic and manual methods before each separate material is baled and sent on for reprocessing into newspapers, and a variety of plastic and metal products.We aim to improve our service by expanding the range of materials we collect for recycling.

What is 'brown' compost waste

Brown materials contain lots of carbon. They break down more slowly and add structure to your compost. They also create air pockets which are important for air circulation. Examples of brown (dry) materials are: scrunched up paper and cardboard, hedge trimmings, straw and hay, wood chippings and sawdust, bedding from pet cages (as long as it is natural, rather than manmade fibres), twigs, feathers.

What is 'green' compost waste?

Green materials contain lots of nitrogen. They break down quickly and help to keep the compost moist. Examples of green materials that you can put into your compost are: raw fruit and vegetables, teabags and coffee grounds, egg shells, garden and house plants, grass cuttings, weeds, cut flowers.

What shouldn't I put into the compost?

You shouldn't put cooked food, dairy products, meat or fish into the compost as these can attract vermin. Processed food contains additives, particularly salt and preservatives, which may not degrade very well. Perennial weeds should be shredded or they may sprout. Some people advise against adding potatoes or potato peelings to your compost, as they have a tendency to grow and you may get blight. However, if potatoes grow, you could always pull them up.

Why does my compost bin smell/why is the compost slimy?

Compost should not smell unpleasant or be slimy. If you find that your composter is too smelly or slimy, it may have too much green stuff in it and it may be that it lacks air. Mix in some scrunched-up newspaper, hedge trimmings or twigs. You can also aerate the compost by turning it with a garden fork, and adding a bit of earth or compost.

Why should I compost?

Up to a third of your household bin can be taken up with possible compostable material. Instead of sending this to landfill, give yourself more space in your bin and improve your garden soil by creating your own compost.