Rooting for Nature Composting campaign launches with a chance to win a free compost bin

Rooting for Nature, Norfolk County Council's popular composting campaign is back to encourage more people to switch to composting at home and help reduce and recycle more of their waste.

Cllr Eric Vardy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste said: "Last year's campaign was a huge success, with more than 2,800 compost bins sold during the campaign. This is the highest number of bins distributed through the scheme in over ten years. This shows more and more people are keen to get involved in composting to cut waste, help nature and benefit their garden.

"In total over 100,000 compost bins have been bought by Norfolk residents through our council discount schemes for home composting. This amazing collective effort helps save up to 15,041 tonnes of waste per year. What many people may not realise is that composting also helps reduce CO2 emissions. Instead of having your food and garden waste transported from your home, it goes back into your garden providing nutrients for plants and helps to nurture worms, hedgehogs, birds, woodlice and other wildlife."

To encourage more residents to get composting, Norfolk County Council has a special offer on compost and bokashi bins. Residents can buy a bin from as little as £10 (220 litre black bin, standard price £22) and there's also a buy one, get one half price offer.

**A launch event will be held at Thetford Reuse Shop on Thursday 12 May. Norfolk's Master Composters will be on site to advise and answer questions on composting and to demonstrate how it's done. Plus, there's a chance to see a compost bin beautifully transformed by Norfolk artist Jackie Piermont. The specially designed bin will then go on tour to Norfolk events throughout the spring.**

Cllr Terry Jermy, County Councillor for Thetford West Division, said: "As an avid home-composter myself, with compost bins purchased through the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Thetford, I wholeheartedly support this push to get more people composting. You would be amazed how much you can get into your compost bin and how quickly it reduces down. Eventually it will give you something beneficial to use in your own garden as well. I urge people to give home-composting a go, it's so easy!"

Master Composter volunteer Pat Brent, said "My favourite thing about composting is the excitement of turning out the bin in the autumn and finding lots of lovely, crumbly, nutrient rich organic matter to use on my garden. It truly is black gold." She added "What I would tell a first-time composter? Composting done right, definitely doesn't smell!"

Find more information about composting and how to buy a compost bin at Norfolk Recycles www.norfolkrecycles.com/home-compost.

Further information

• Since 2002 there have been 100,271 compost bins distributed to Norfolk residents.
• From national research this is thought to be saving up to 15,041 tonnes of waste from being disposed of each year (save 150 kg per compost bin per year).
• Home composting up to 15,041 tonnes is thought to be saving £1,639,469 in waste disposal costs each year.
• Estimated carbon saving in avoided transport of compostable waste to disposal sites is 389 tonnes of CO2 per year.
• A bokashi bin makes it possible to compost all food waste including meat, fish, dairy products and any other organic material in one container. Add kitchen waste to the bin, sprinkle on a handful of Bokashi Bran and seal the air-tight lid to start the fermenting process. The waste can be added to a conventional compost heap, or dug straight into the ground a few weeks later.
• Norfolk Master Composters are a group of volunteers who encourage people in their local community to start composting at home and offer support to people who are already home composting. They also give talks and demonstrations at events.

Products and prices

• 220 litre black bin at £10 (Standard price £22)
• 220 litre green bin at £13 (Standard price £25)
• 330 litre black bin at £13 (Standard price £25)
• 330 litre green bin at £16 (Standard price £28)
• Bokashi bin twin pack £15 (Standard price £15.99)

The launch event Thetford Reuse Shop is based at Thetford Recycling Centre, 15-17 Telford Way IP24 1HU.

The compost bin created by Norfolk Artist Jackie Piermont will be on display at the following events throughout the summer along with compost displays and advice from the Master Composters:

• Sat 7 May - Eaton Eco Fair
• Sun 12 June - Open Farm Day, Gressenhall
• Sun 19 June - Gardens Open, Heydon
• Sat 25 June - Summer Fete, Hillside Ave School
• Sun 3 July - Gabriel's Garden, Gissing