There is no such thing as away. When we throw something away, it has to go somewhere.

Food and garden waste make up a big part of an ordinary household bin. Composting it at home turns that waste into rich soil for your plants and means fewer bin bags going out each week.

The right way to compost

A healthy compost heap needs a mix of two kinds of material. "Greens" are wet and rich in nitrogen, like fruit and vegetable scraps and grass cuttings. "Browns" are dry and rich in carbon, like dry leaves, cardboard and paper. Aim for roughly two to three parts browns to one part greens, keep the heap about as damp as a wrung-out sponge, and turn it every few weeks to let air in.

What you can compost at home

• Fruit and vegetable peels and scraps
• Coffee grounds and paper filters
• Tea leaves and plastic-free tea bags
• Crushed eggshells
• Dead plants, leaves and grass cuttings
• Weeds that haven't gone to seed
• Plain cardboard, paper bags and egg boxes, torn into pieces

What to leave out

• Meat, fish and dairy, which attract pests
• Cooked food, oils and fats
• Pet waste
• Diseased plants
• Glossy or printed paper, and anything with plastic in it

No garden? No problem

If you live in a flat, a small worm bin or a bokashi bucket can sit on a balcony or under the sink. Many towns also collect food and garden waste in separate brown bins, so check what your local council offers.

It's easier than it seems, and after a few months you'll have your own free soil.