Say hello to Margaret & Richard, our 15th Compost Champs! Proud County Dublin residents and Panda customers for more than two years, this couple have been cooking up some seriously impressive results, achieving an 88% waste diversion rate through composting and recycling combined.
Their secret ingredient? Simple habits that have become part of everyday life, like keeping food waste off the general-bin menu and giving scraps somewhere better to go.
It’s a recipe for better sorting that we’re very proud to see, and solid proof that small changes at home can add up to big benefits.
When asked what winning our #CompostChallenge means to them, they shared:
“We’re delighted to have won and plan to use the money saved on bin collections to expand what we grow in the small allotment plot that we have.”
Hear it directly from our Compost Champs
We caught up with Margaret & Richard to learn more about their composting journey and what winning one year of free bin collections means to them:
What would you say is the biggest benefit of composting?
Margaret & Richard: “As enthusiastic but amateur gardeners we believe that the main benefit is that the brown waste is converted into compost! We love the idea that some of our own composting eventually makes its way back to our garden, feeding our vegetables and plants.”
What does winning one year of free bin collections mean to you?
Margaret & Richard: “We’re delighted to have won and plan to use the money saved on bin collections to expand what we grow in the small allotment plot that we have. This year we’ve successfully grown potatoes, onions, garlic, chard and lettuce, but plan to invest in a small greenhouse with the money saved!”
Where do you keep your compost bin, and what works best?
Margaret & Richard: “We have a small container beside the sink and fill that during the day with brown waste. Then as part of our after dinner clean-up, it is emptied into the large brown bin that is at the side of our house. ”
Have you got any plans for the money you’ll save?
Margaret & Richard: “We plan to buy a small greenhouse for our allotment plot and expand the range of plants that we grow. Hopefully we’ll have some success with cucumbers and small peppers!”
Keeping your compost bin happy
With autumn in full swing and gardens serving up plenty of seasonal leftovers, now is a good time to give your compost bin a little extra attention.
Keeping it happy doesn’t require anything too complicated. A few simple habits can help keep unwanted smells at bay, make bin day a little easier and ensure your food and garden waste ends up exactly where it belongs.
During the colder months, remember to::
- Feed it the right mix – Fruit and vegetable scraps, bread, cakes and biscuits, eggs, tea leaves and bags, plant trimmings, grass clippings, fallen leaves, cut flowers and cooked food can all find a home in your compost bin. Meat, fish, poultry and bones can also go in. Not sure about something? Additional information is available via the My Waste Ireland website and their FREE downloadable ‘posters, bin labels and guidance booklets’.
- Use compostable liners – Compostable liners can make getting food scraps from the kitchen caddy to the compost bin much less messy, while helping keep your caddy cleaner and fresher between emptying.
- Don’t let smells linger – If your bin is starting to smell a little more ripe than you’d like, a small sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda can help absorb unwanted odours and freshen things up.
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.
How to become the next Compost Champ
Think you’ve got what it takes to take on the #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 useful.
