Liner for compost bins?

gaius c

So we have our new bins from the bin company and have never had a compost bin before so we're not sure what to do re bin bags. Do people just put compostable items directly into it or are there biodegradeable bags you can use to put your compostable items into and then into the compost bin?

slimjimmc

Just put your material straight into the compost bin. Do not put liners or bags into the bins.
You need a mix of high nitrogen (veg, grass) and high carbon (woody plants, egg cartons) materials to achieve good composting. There are plenty of on-line guides on composting.

Alun

I think the OP is referring to the new 'brown' bins being issued by many waste companies rather than enquiring about composting themselves. Back when I lived in the Netherlands we were allowed to use special biodegradable liners for our brown (actually they were green!) bins which made a huge difference in keeping them reasonably clean. I've no idea if they're available here or not, or if they're allowed.

slimjimmc

Alun wrote: »

I think the OP is referring to the new 'brown' bins being issued by many waste companies rather than enquiring about composting themselves. Back when I lived in the Netherlands we were allowed to use special biodegradable liners for our brown (actually they were green!) bins which made a huge difference in keeping them reasonably clean. I've no idea if they're available here or not, or if they're allowed.

Not only are they available they're even made here. Don't know if the waste companies accept them though.
http://www.killeenhousehold.ie/killeen-on-composting.htm
http://www.greensax.ie/website/our-range/greensax-home-and-garden/faqs/

gaius c

Alun wrote: »

I think the OP is referring to the new 'brown' bins being issued by many waste companies rather than enquiring about composting themselves. Back when I lived in the Netherlands we were allowed to use special biodegradable liners for our brown (actually they were green!) bins which made a huge difference in keeping them reasonably clean. I've no idea if they're available here or not, or if they're allowed.

Aye. Should have been clearer. Putting compostable items directly into the bin will see it in a manky state very quickly but I expect that putting items into a normal bin bag will see it rejected.

slimjimmc

Why don't you give your waste collector a call and get a definitive answer. I'm not aware of any law prohibiting biodegradable liners so it would be purely up to your waste collector but I doubt they can refuse (no pun) to collect if the liners comply with EU regs.
Then perhaps you could post it here for the benefit of others.

stoneill

Thorntons provide a biodegradable bag every time they collect the brown bin, dunno about other waste companies.
You can just wrap your waste in old newspaper - then dump into bin.

gaius c

slimjimmc wrote: »

Why don't you give your waste collector a call and get a definitive answer. I'm not aware of any law prohibiting biodegradable liners so it would be purely up to your waste collector but I doubt they can refuse (no pun) to collect if the liners comply with EU regs.
Then perhaps you could post it here for the benefit of others.

Good call.
Wrap in an old newspaper or paper bag.
You can get biodegradable bags but that's at your own expense obviously.