Recently, I visited a waste recycling centre – what would have been called, until recently, a rubbish tip. But it isn’t just political correctness that has brought about this change of name: once not so long ago, this would have ended up in a landfill site, whereas now it is composted on an industrial scale and the resulting material is worth its weight in gold.
Green waste from the garden, as well as other material that will rot down, is brought by lorry to the site and piled up in long lines – windrows -stretching into the distance. The size of these heaps dwarf the heavy machinery used to move it. 
Unlike the compost heaps of our gardens, the temperatures that are built up destroy all harmful bacteria, noxious weed roots and seeds, resulting in a clean, fertile and very marketable resource. The compost shown here is destined to be spread on fields and has made a significant reduction to the amount of synthetic chemicals and fertilisers being used on the farm, so there is a double positive effect to the environment. 
This method of composting can be recreated on a smaller scale. The compost heap below belongs to a large garden which produces a lot of garden waste, whether from flowers and vegetables, from leaves or from the sheep which help to keep the grass low.
The result is the same: although the temperature does not reach the same height as with the industrial scale, the compost quality is excellent.
These timber compost bins, with removeable fronts, I make for my own garden as well as those of clients. Ideal for the smaller plot, they last for years, and keep the heaps tidy and easily managed. For smaller gardens still, there are numerous plastic compost containers….
…..so, there is no excuse! Get composting and help the environment as well as saving money on all those expensive bags of fertiliser…..
Life in the English Cotswolds 