How to compost at home

Instead of banishing your leftovers to landfill, you can compost them at home or recycle your food waste using your kitchen caddy. There is no amount of food waste too small - every bit of recycled food waste reduces the release of destructive greenhouse gases and helps Scotland get to its net zero emissions target.

Why composting matters

It's a much more environmentally friendly alternative to sending food waste to landfill, where harmful greenhouse gases are created. In a compost heap or bin, your food waste will have plenty of oxygen to naturally break down alongside any garden waste, creating free and nutrient-rich compost ready for planting.

You can find a range of compost bins at most garden centres or online. Some compost bins will be suitable for more foods than others, so you should always follow the instructions. If you decide to create a compost heap, try not to disturb it until at least spring time, as many creatures hibernate and take shelter in them.

What to Compost:

Fruit and vegetable peelings and scraps
Tea bags
Coffee grounds
Eggshells

What Not to Compost:

Cooked food
Meat and fish
Dairy products
Bread
Biscuits
Baked goods
Pasta

Eating Greener

Your Guides

Guide 1

Food planning tips to reduce waste and save money

Planning and shopping smarter can help you to reduce the amount of food you waste.

Guide 2

Eating healthy and sustainable food

Producing food is big business. To grow, make, transport, store and cook our food is an energy intensive process, and unsurprisingly, one which generates greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Guide 3

Recycling food waste

The best thing we can do is not waste food at all. When we waste food, we also waste the energy and resources that went into producing, transporting, storing and cooking it.