Trouble Shooting

Despite the best efforts you may experience a few problems when you begin composting. Listed below are a few of the more common problems and how to overcome them.

• Smell of Ammonia - too much green waste. Add leaves, straw, wood chippings and turn the pile well.
• Smell of Rotten Eggs - too wet and compacted. Add dry leaves, straw or shredded newspaper and turn pile well.
• Too Dry - add water and turn well.
• Flies - food waste can be very tempting to tiny fruit flies. If this becomes a problem ensure all kitchen scraps are buried in the pile.
• Compost Takes a Long Time to Breakdown - add an activator to speed up the process.

If you would like to see composting in action why not visit the Braywick Nature Centre, where there is a compost corner.

If you are unable to compost at home, but, need to get rid of garden waste (e.g. hedge trimmings) The Royal Borough operates a centralised composting scheme and would rather see it composted than sent to expensive landfill disposal sites.

There are two ways in which you can ensure that this material is sent for composting:

• Take it to the Civic Amenity site at Stafferton Way in Maidenhead, where a separate collection area has been created.
• Contact the Green Waste Collection Service on 01628 796844 to arrange a collection of your material.