More and more people are becoming environmentally conscious and looking at the small and simple ways they can reduce their carbon footprint at home.

We are all familiar with the binning systems run by our local authorities to recycle waste from our homes but do we actually know what happens when it arrives at its destination? Also, when it comes to gardening, many people are still unaware of the ways green waste can continue to benefit their own plants and trees and provide ideal nutrition. 

Our member Prince Tree Surgery, professional tree surgeons based in Brentwood, play their own part to protect the environment by recycling waste from their jobs and using environmentally-friendly products while on site such as biodegradable oils, bio diesels and low-emission power tools. They also hold a waste carrier’s license issued by the Environment Agency.

When garden waste is collected from their jobs and from your homes, it is transported to large public composting sites where it is converted into pure, concentrated recycled compost. The entire process usually takes between three and four months.

The garden waste is fed into a large shredder which reduces the waste in size. The material is formed into long, triangular heaps called ‘windrows’ in the open air which are monitored and regularly turned to ensure air reaches all the micro-organisms. 

After around 24 weeks, it has become compost and is screened to ensure it is all the same size. It is then bagged as pro-grow soil condition which can be purchased at recycling centres.

But if you’re a keen gardener, or enjoy growing your own vegetables, much of your garden waste can remain in your garden to help provide a healthy environment for them to flourish.

Prince Tree Surgery recommend packing fallen dead leaves into bin bags (with perforated sides) or chicken wire and leaving them for a year or more before spreading on flowers, shrubs and vegetables as mulch.

If you regularly mow your lawn, why not allow the grass to pile up in a heap to rot down? The area can be used to plant seeds on it. Flowers and plant cuttings can also be chopped up in the same way.

Making your own compost is another rewarding way of recycling your garden and kitchen waste which can be used to feed and condition your soil and pot planting.

It is estimated that 40% of the average dustbin contents are suitable for home composting. Anything that was once living will compost but items such as meat, dairy products and cooked food should be avoided as they can attract vermin.

There are a number of useful guides to help you create your own composting system. Although it might seem a little tricky at first, trial and error will help you find a method that works for you.

For more advice on tree surgery in the Brentwood and surrounding areas, contact our member Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709.