Gateway Road Reuse and Recycling Centre is now closed.
Composting is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your food and garden waste. It is a natural process that breaks down rotting food and plants and turns it into soil. Putting food and garden waste in a compost bin creates nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used in your garden.
Why is composting good for the environment?
Compost: A scientific Investigation
Getting started
If you want to get involved in composting at school, a good starting point is to set up a community garden – getting pupils, teachers, and staff involved.
You can buy a subsidised compost bin from your local council. If you have limited space, you could try a wormery, which is also available from your local council in north London. Wormeries are easy and fun to use, simply add your organic waste and after a few months, the worms will have eaten it all, leaving behind a fantastic fertiliser and nutrient-rich liquid, which can be diluted and used as plant food.
Please click on your relevant borough below to find out more!
| Barnet | Camden | Enfield | Hackney |
| Haringey | Islington | Waltham Forest |
Composting for schools
Here is a quick guide on school composting which can help you start up your very own compost bin in your school.
External source: RHS
KS1: Save the scraps!
A handy video on what composting is and its benefits, aimed at younger children.
External source: Bethany Stahl
KS2: How is compost made?
This video explains what composting is and its benefits. It is suitable for both KS1 and KS2.
External source: Recycle Now
Why is composting good for the environment?
More appropriate for the older years, this video on why composting is good for the environment explains the benefits of composting to our planet.
External source: SciToons Browns University
Compost: A Scientific Investigation
For the science enthusiasts, here’s a handy lesson guide on the process of decomposition and how compost is created!