Get composting this Autumn
Published Thursday 13th October 11 in Council - news and information releases news
Why not turn over a new leaf with some old leaves this autumn, using a cut price compost bin.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is offering compost bins, from as little as £15 (plus £5.49 delivery)
Autumn is an excellent time to start composting as there's plenty of garden waste available.
Spent bedding plants, grass cuttings, autumn leaves and prunings can all be recycled over the coming months to produce a compost which is ideal for spring planting.
It's important to have a good mixture of materials - you don't want too much of any one thing - if you want to make a good quality compost.
As well as green garden waste, you can compost fruit and vegetable peelings, egg shells, tea bags, pet hair, and even shredded paper.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Waste, Councillor Tony Cox said: "The traditional picture of autumn gardening is of a smoky bonfire that pollutes the atmosphere, but it is much more environmentally-friendly to compost your green garden waste.
"Experts recommend a 50/50 mix of 'greens' (vegetable peelings, old flowers, grass cuttings, spent bedding plants) and 'browns' (garden prunings, coffee grounds, tissues and paper napkins, cardboard, vacuum cleaner dust).