Bayesian Blocks in High Energy Physics Better Binning Made Easy

A compost bin is a must-have for any home gardener with the outdoor space to accommodate one. Not only does compost help your pots and borders thrive, but composting is also a green way to get rid of food and garden waste.

The UK wastes around 9.5 million tonnes of food a year, and 70% of this is produced by households. In a bid to tackle the amount of food waste that finds its way into landfill, the government recently announced plans to collect food waste separately from general waste from all homes across the UK by 2023.

When food ends up in landfill, it rots and emits greenhouse gases including methane, which is hugely environmental damaging. Until food waste collections are rolled out to all UK households, composting remains a great way to put food waste to good use.

Your garden will flourish too, as compost improves soil structure, feed plants and regulates the soil's pH balance.

If you're looking to start composting or you're in the market for a new compost bin, you have lots of options. We consulted an expert from the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) to break down which compost bins are the most sustainable and to help you decide which one is right for you.

How to choose a compost bin

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing your compost bin. First and foremost, it's important to consider how much space you have available — while some smaller bins are effective, others require more space to work effectively.

You should also consider how much compost you want to make and how quickly. And of course, compost bins vary in price so your budget will also help determine which type you opt for.

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Wooden compost bin

According to Guy Barter, chief horticulturalist at the RHS, wooden composting bins are well worth considering if you're just getting started with composting at home.

He said: "Due to their low cost it is feasible to have two, transferring compost from one to the other when one is empty, to 'turn' it. Mixing ingredients at least once in the composting cycle is advantageous both in terms of the speed of composting and the quality of the finished material, according to RHS research."

Pros

Wooden bins are inexpensive. If you're into DIY, you can even build our own using pallets and scrap timber.
Wood is a sustainable material, particularly compared to plastic, which many other compost bins are made from.
Wood is a natural insulator, which helps maintain a consistent temperature in your compost bin.

Cons

In some cases, gaps in the wood can mean that heat escapes from the compost. Composting can take between six to 12 months in a wooden bin.
They are unsuitable for large volumes of compost.
They can attract rats, making them unsuitable for kitchen waste.

Plastic compost bins

This may be the type of compost bin you're most familiar with. They usually come in black or green, which blocks out lights to prevent weeds growing inside, and they have a hatch at the bottom which makes it easy to scoop the compost out.

Pros

Plastic compost bins can be bought cheaply.
They are good for small spaces.

Cons

They are less durable than some other bins and can become brittle after years in the sun or cold weather.
It can be harder to turn the compost in a plastic bin than a wooden one.

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Hot compost bins

Hot composting uses higher temperatures to decompose waste faster. These bins tend to be made from a material called polypropylene which locks in heat generated by the organisms that break down the compost. The most popular of these products is the HOTBIN, which can produce organic compost in just 90 days and won the Chelsea Garden Product of the Year in 2019.

Guy said: "Dealing with large quantities of waste would require much investment in Hotboxes, so in larger gardens they would probably supplement rather than replace wooden compost bins, dealing with material that is best suited to hot composting." These materials include straw, shredded paper and dry autumn leaves.

Pros

Hotboxes compost thoroughly and swiftly, generating heat more reliably than other compost bins and reducing the need for turning. According to Guy, they can produce compost in as little as three months.
They work year-round and are weatherproof.
They can fit easily into a smaller garden as even smaller bins are highly efficient.
They don't attract rats.

Cons

Hot bins are the more expensive option, usually costing upwards of £150.

Wormery

Worms are your friends in the garden as they are very effective at turning kitchen waste into compost. A wormery, also known as a worm bin, usually has two parts: one for the kitchen waste and worms and another to collect liquid.

Pros

Unlike wooden compost bins, wormeries work well with kitchen waste.
They produce high quality compost in less than a year.
They also produce a liquid fertiliser.
They don't attract rats.

Cons

A wormery requires more maintenance than other compost bins as you have live creatures to take care of. However, according to Guy, many gardeners enjoy caring for the worms.

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Bokashi bin

If you're looking for a kitchen compost bin, a Bokashi bin may be the way to go.

This isn't technically a compost bin, as it involves fermentation rather than decomposition. Bokashi is also a natural process where food waste is transformed into organic matter, just like composting. But while composting requires oxygen, Bokashi is an anaerobic process that works when you keep the materials away from oxygen.

Pros

A bokashi bin works best when kept indoors, so it's a great option if you don't have much outdoor space.
They are small and convenient to fit into your home.
They will not attract rats and do not smell.
It produces liquid that can be used as fertiliser.

Cons

Bokashi composting requires maintenance, possibly more so than keeping a wormery, according to Guy. Each day's waste has to be compressed flat into the container to prevent air getting into the compost. It also helps to drain the liquid regularly.
These bins are unsuitable for processing large quantities of garden waste.

Top tips for home composting

Now you have your compost bin, here's how to use it effectively.

Start by deciding on the right spot for your bin — it should be level and well-drained so that your bin can expel any excess water easily.

Equally as important is knowing what to put in your compost bin. Vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, cardboard egg boxes and fruit waste are all good to add, but meat, dairy products, cooked food and dog poo are all a no-go as they can attract pests.

Turning compost involves simply sticking a fork or shovel into it and flipping it over. As mentioned, this is easier to do in some compost bins than others.

You can use your compost by sprinkling it onto your vegetable patch or flower beds, blending it into potting soil or spreading a thick layer onto the soil on your lawn.

Can I get a free compost bin from the council?

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get a discounted compost bin. Local authorities across the UK work with getcomposting.com to provide discounted home composting bins and water butts. Just type your postcode here to find out whether your local council is signed up to the scheme.