In addition to recycling, the Council is also promoting waste minimisation. One simple method for achieving this is to compost kitchen waste and garden clippings. There are two methods of composting. The Council provides regular composting bins for the ridiculously low price of €40 (and they are free to schools!). These bins are suitable for most garden waste, some kitchen waste as well as some paper and cardboard. Naturally-occuring bacteria break down the waste and turn it into compost. Apart from reducing the amount of waste that goes into your wheel bin (and ultimately to landfill), you also get a free source of compost for your garden. They can be collected at the following location:

• Silliot Hill Recycling Centre, tel.: 045 482229 (open Mon-Sat 8am to 4pm)

    The bins come with full instructions.

Most garden centres and DIY stores also sell compost bins- check locally.

An alternative to these 'static' (i.e. fixed bins) is the compost tumbler type. These are usually more expensive than the static bins, but the waste is turned into compost quicker. There are a number of types, one of which is the Eco-Pro: contact Ian McCann at 048 8774 7468,or mob: 00447887 620015

The other form of composting is worm composting (sometimes known as vermicomposting). As the name suggests, this involves using worms to break down kitchen and garden waste. It is possible to buy special containers or even to make one yourself. A standard plastic dustbin, with holes drilled in the bottom is ideal. Line the bottom with gravel, then put a layer of chopped cardboard to act as bedding. Regular earthworms are not suitable as they do not eat sufficient quantities of waste. It is possible to gather your own though! Brandling worms are the small, bright pink worms you find in horse manure. So if you have access to these, you can reduce the cost even further. 

Worms will eat all of the materials you would normally place into a standard compost bin. The only difference is that they can quite happily cope with cooked food, as long as you avoid meat, fish and grease. It's a good idea to feed smaller amount regularly to the bin rather than one big feed which may overload the worms ability to eat it. If this happens the waste may putrify. If this happens stop feeding, turn the waste regularly and break up the rotting waste as much as possible. Once the worms have managed to digest the food again you can resume feeding.

If you want to purchase worm composting bins, or just worms, contact any of the following:

Irish Earthworms, based in the north of the county, provides worms only. Contact James Austin at 086 8157058, email: irishearthworms@eircom.net

Element Green Solutions, Acorn Business Campus, Mahon Industrial Park, Blackrock, Co. Cork. Supplies Can-O-Worms to anywhere in the country for €179 inclusive. Tel.: 021 453 6153, email: niall@elementgreen.com  web:www.elementgreen.com

Greenpatch Ltd., Ardnageehy House, Glenville, Co. Cork can deliver worms and a choice of wormeries to any part of Ireland by courier. See www.greenpatch.ie or email: info@greenpatch , tel.: 021 4880453 or 087 2767674

William McGrath, The Bridge, Lower Ballingarry,Thurles, tel.: 052 54593
Supply mixed bedding worms suitable for composting - €15 per kg

Joe Moloney, Riverside, O'Briensbridge, Co. Clare (Angling Tourism), tel.: 061 377303.
(He supplies dendrabaena worms (not full kit - just worms) from April to Sept. Box of 500 worms = €8.50.)

Grow Green Solutions, Killiskey Cross, Ashford, Co.Wicklow tel.: 0404 49893, email: growgreensolutions@eircom.net   web: www.growgreensolutions.com

Wriggler Worm Farm, Ardvoley, Leitrim, tel.: 071 64880

Wiggly Wigglers, c/o Waste Solutions Ltd., Cork, tel.: 021 3829000, web: www.wigglywigglers.co.uk

Kingfisher Baits, Pier Road, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, tel.:096 36733 (supplies tiger worms)

If you are aware of other companies or organisations that  provide these items, please email environ@kildarecoco.ie

Community composter

Finally, community composting may be another area of interest. Kildare County Council is aware that a number of Residents Associations, Tidy Towns groups and other community organisations are involved in the maintenance of green areas including grass and shrubs. We welcome applications from community groups for a community composter- this is a large wooden structure with hinged lid that can take large volumes of green waste. This waste should be mixed with 'brown' waste i.e.paper. Bins need to be located where there is minimal risk of vandalism, and a number of people should be involved in managing the composter. The benefits are twofold: landfill waste is reduced and reasonably large quantities of compost will be available free to the group!

For the application form, please go to the environment forms section.

For questions on community composting, contact the Environment Awareness Officer at 045 980563 or email: environ@kildarecoco.ie