How to set up a home composter?

Composting is the process by which we convert organic waste, such as food scraps, grass cuttings, leaves or branches, into a natural fertiliser called compost. This process is not only possible in large-scale biowaste treatment facilities, but also in home composters.

The valuable fertiliser, also known as 'gardeners' black gold', that they will produce can be mixed into the soil and used for planting both ornamental and edible plants. Nutrient-enriched soil will allow plants to develop better. 

Here's how you build your own composter. Get to work! 

Site selection - a sheltered from the wind and partially shaded site, on unpaved ground, is best. It is worth knowing that, by law, a composter up to 10 m³ should be located min. 7.5 m from the border of the neighbouring plot and 15 m from the neighbour's house. In the case of larger composters, 10 to 50 m^{3 -}  The distance from the neighbour's house should already be min. 30 m and 10 m from the nearest road or pavement.

Choosing the type of composter:

• wooden - we can buy it but also make it ourselves,
• plastic - easy to assemble, available in many shapes and sizes,
• Thermal - has insulating layers to maintain a constant temperature.

The principles of composting - this is how you make your own fertiliser for your garden 

• On the bottom of the composter, place a drainage layer, i.e. one that allows air to flow through. This can be, for example, branches.
• We should then create an absorbent layer, such as last year's compost, garden soil, peat or straw, to retain the valuable ingredients and not let them be washed away by the rain.
• Waste can be dumped on the layers thus prepared, with which we alternately fill our composter with earth or peat.
• Every two months or so, it is a good idea to stir the compost so that it decomposes better.
• The contents of the compost heap should not be dry, it should be damp but not wet - you may want to think about covering the compost heap to prevent rain from falling on it and to prevent it from drying out (and it is a good idea to water it during extended periods without rain).

It is also worth knowing that the construction of a composter does not have to be reported anywhere. However, some towns and municipalities reduce the waste disposal fees for people with their own composter. Having your own natural fertiliser, better growing plants and saving money are enough incentives for many people to set up such a home composter. Keeping a compost pile is a great solution for people who appreciate living in style slow life and zero waste. By having a composter, we do not enlarge landfill sites as intensively as we would without one - instead, we support the return of organic materials to the soil.