Four Simple Steps to Create Nutrient-Rich Compost at Home

Did you know that according to the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Irish households generated 220,000 tonnes of food waste in 2022? That’s close to a third of all food waste created in Ireland! On average, waste created from food costs Irish households around €60 per month, or €700 per year (source: EPA).

While the brown bin used by most Irish households has helped to sustainably dispose of this waste, one of the most environmentally conscious ways that we can avoid this excess wastage and cost is by home composting!

Composting Explained

Composting is a largely self-contained biological process, needing only the right conditions of heat, humidity, and a steady input of organic matter, i.e., your food and garden waste. Composting has a great number of benefits for gardeners and the environment:

1) It enriches the soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.
2) It reduces the need for chemical fertilisers in your garden and encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.
3) Composting at home and in your community reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint

Here at Sturdy Products, we manufacture and supply the Recyone range of home composters, designed to help any budding green thumb to get started on their home composting journey. With a Sturdy Recycone Composter, you can easily turn your kitchen scraps and garden clippings into rich, nutrient-packed compost. Follow these four simple steps to get started:

1. Mark the Site

Choose a level, well-drained spot to place your Recycone Composter – a grassy area is preferable. Place your Recycone Composter on the ground and use a spade or hand trowel to cut a line around its base, about 3-4 inches deep.

2. Remove Grass and Topsoil Layer

Slide the blade of your tool under the grass layer along the cut line to slice away the roots. Lift and remove the top layer of grass and soil, breaking it up and adding it to your composter along with your regular organic waste – waste not want not!

3. Place Recycone in Trench

Carefully place your Sturdy Recycone Composter into the trench, ensuring it fits snugly within the cut-out area. If needed, widen the trench to accommodate the composter.

4. Start Composting!

And that’s it, your Recycone Composter is now ready to use! Add grass cuttings, leaves, and food scraps from your kitchen. Periodically turn over your composting material with a spade or garden trowel to help the process along. Over time, you’ll have a steady supply of rich, sweet-smelling compost to nourish your garden, share with neighbours, or donate to your local community.

 
The Sturdy Recycone Composter range features a large lid on the top for easy insertion of your organic waste, and a unique bottom mounted hatch for extracting the compost. Both lids are attached to the body by nylon straps. The Recycone Composter has specially designed ribs to help accelerate the decomposition of materials. Its open base facilitates quick drainage and drying of the compost into the earth beneath.

A Green Solution for a More Sustainable Way of Living

The Sturdy Recycone Composter is sustainably manufactured from 100% recycled UV-stabilized polyethylene, extending the lifespan of the plastic materials we use in our manufacturing process and keeping it from entering the waste stream. A portion of the the water used in the production of these units is sourced from rainwater harvested and stored at our European manufacturing center in Blessington, Co. Wicklow.

About Sturdy Products Ltd

Sturdy Products Ltd has over 40 years of experience supplying companies with high quality and long-lasting rotationally moulded products for water storage, garden maintenance and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q: What can I compost?
A: You can compost fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs/branches. Avoid meat, dairy, oily foods and large branches – these will not compost completely and should be avoided.

Q: How long does it take to produce compost?
A: It typically takes 3-6 months for compost to be ready, depending on the materials used and environmental conditions.

Q: How do I know when my compost is ready?
A: Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell. It should no longer resemble the original organic materials. When using the Sturdy Recycone, always use the lower hatch to access your compost.

Q: Can I compost in winter?
A: Yes, composting is a year-round process! During the winter months it will take a little longer than normal. Adding insulation to the outside of your composter can help maintain activity.

Q: How often should I turn my compost? A: Turning your compost every 2-4 weeks helps aerate the pile and speed up decomposition.

Q: How big does my composter need to be for my houshold?
A: Sturdy Products provides their Recycone Composters in a range of sizes to suit a wide variety of households: