“One habit I think everyone should take is using bin liners whenever possible.” That’s what Eileen, our 16th Compost Champ, had to say about one simple habit that has made the biggest of differences in her day-to-day routine.
Living in Dublin for almost three years and a Panda customer for much of that time, Eileen has become a great example of how small changes at home can become part of the everyday recipe for better waste sorting. And that’s exactly the kind of habit we love to see.
For Eileen, composting isn’t something that needs a big production. It’s just another part of preparing a meal, tidying the garden or getting through the day. One small step at a time.
A little seasonal prep
With autumn well underway, Eileen is also busy getting her garden ready for the changing season. When we asked what was filling her compost bin most at the moment, she had a simple answer:
“I’m tidying up the garden for autumn at the moment, so there’s some green waste there in my kitchen caddy.”
Between garden cuttings and the fruit and vegetable scraps created in the kitchen, there’s certainly no shortage of ingredients making their way into the compost bin.
And for Eileen, the process is simple enough to work wherever she is.
Whether she’s in the kitchen preparing dinner or outside working in the garden, her small caddy is never too far.
We sat down with Eileen, and here’s what she said:
We caught up with our latest #CompostChamp to learn more about her composting journey and her best-kept advise of what works for her. These are the answers that caught our attention the most;
What autumn scraps seem to fill your compost bin the most?
Eileen: “Fruit and vegetable scraps.” She added; “I eat a lot of fruit, and having my kitchen caddy by the sink means that every time I cook, it all adds up!”
It’s a simple system, but having the caddy within easy reach means there’s no second thought needed when it comes to sorting those everyday ingredients.
What’s one compost habit you think everyone should pick up this Halloween?
For Eileen, keeping the kitchen caddy clean is an important part of making the whole process easier.
Eilen: “My number one tip would be to use compost bin liners. I like to use a bin liner to keep the caddy nice and clean in the kitchen and, particularly in the summer, I empty my bin more regularly. That helps me avoid any problems that might arise if I don’t transfer the waste from my kitchen caddy to my Panda brown bin outside.”
Can you describe your compost routine on your day-to-day?
Eileen: “I work a lot in the garden, so I always carry my small kitchen caddy with me wherever I go. Any waste I generate, I just toss in there and then it’s just a matter of using my small Panda brown bin. I do the same in the kitchen. I leave my kitchen caddy next to the sink with a bin liner in it and whatever food waste I have goes there and then straight into the big brown bin.”
Making the most our of Autumn scraps
As Halloween gets closer, the season is starting to serve up plenty of its own ingredients. Pumpkin peelings, fruit and vegetable scraps, garden cuttings and other suitable food waste can all become part of your compost routine, giving you plenty of opportunities to make the most of your brown bin.
When we asked Eileen to describe her compost bin routine in three words, she chose:
- Straightforward – As it shouldn’t take any extra effort outside your routine to keep it going.
- Hassle-free – Any system you use has to be easy, or it won’t be easy to stick to it.
- Sustainable – Because segregating waste and disposing of it correctly as much as possible matters.
For Panda household customers, these little habits can make a noticeable difference, helping keep bins cleaner between collections, keeping more food waste out of the general bin and giving leftovers a much better final course.
Think you got what it takes to be our next winner?
Think you’ve got what it takes to take on our #CompostChallenge? Take part here for your chance to win FREE bin collections for a year, or nominate someone you know who is already turning everyday scraps into something worth celebrating.
Using your compost bin should be the first step, and who knows what you’ll grow from there.
