compost

[ChrisG]

I am looking into ways of composting all food waste, as Hubby and I want to reduce the amount of stuff we put into the bin. Now potato peelings etc are easy - they just go into the compost heap. But what can I do with leftover rice, stew, meat, fish skins, and bones (not fish bones - lamb shoulder for instance)? I did find a system that the council seem to be using in parts of North Yorkshire, called the 'green cone' and the 'green Johanna', but these seem to be really expensive. Is there a cheaper alternative.

(There is a green cone on a certain auction site, but it is collection only and is in Hampshire)

[p.penn]

Aha! I may be of some help here as I have a green joanna.

I got a green cone some years ago as I thought wow, what a great idea, but for me, it wasn't -for 3 reasons:

1)Half of it is underground, so you need to dig a 1m³ hole,

2) It needs to be in full sun (I have a teeny garden and full sun is precious)

3) You need to buy and add accelerator powder.

So then I got a green joanna and it's great. It is just like a normal composter, but you can add all cooked and raw food including dairy and it needs something like 10% garden waste too.

I have had it years - 3 at least. But never taken any compost from it yet.

I must add, mine was subsidised by the council at the time. Go to your local council website and see what they have on offer.

[ChrisG]

Fantastic, thanks Helen

[Mo]

I have had it years - 3 at least. But never taken any compost from it yet.

Is that good or bad?