Slough Borough Council

What can and can't be composted?

What can be composted?

Most garden waste can be composted. Some examples include:

• Grass cuttings
• Hedge clippings
• Weeds
• Old plants & garden cuttings remains
• Vegetable wastes
• Branches & twigs (cut into small pieces or run through a chipper)
• Fallen leaves
• Rotten, fallen fruit
• Flower heads

Most kitchen waste, such as:

• Vegetable & fruit remains
• Tea bags & coffee grounds
• Cut flowers & house plant
• Crushed egg shells
• Fruit waste
• Newspaper

What can’t be composted?

• Cooked & uncooked meat
• Poultry and fish are not recommended
• Cat & dog faeces
• Any other animal faeces
• Human faeces or other body waste
• Things which are not biodegradable such as plastic and metals.
• Garden waste that has recently been treated with weed-killer (such as grass cuttings from a recently treated lawn).

Trouble Shooting

Unpleasant odours

When vegetation decomposes, it is normal for it to smell a bit. If the odour becomes unpleasant, the heap may have become too compacted. To solve this, use a garden fork or stick to lift the layers of composting mass - adding air & hence reducing odours.

Compost is very dry

If the compost appears very dry, simply turn the material with a garden fork or stick, adding water while you do so.

Compost is wet & slimy

If this is the case, then perhaps too much green wastes (e.g. grass clippings) have been added. Mix in some woody materials, straw or newspaper to solve the problem.

Have fun and watch your garden grow - for free!