For the best results from your compost bin you need to add in layers of equal amounts of soft green and brown material.

During the composting process turn the contents of the bin occasionally to mix and aerate the decomposing material.

By adding a compost accelerator you help the material to decay quicker.

Keep the material dry but not over wet.

The compost is ready for use when it is black and crumbly.

Soft green material includes raw vegetable peelings, soft prunings, grass clippings, tea leaves, coffee grounds, crushed egg shells and young annual weeds that are not producing seeds.

Compostable brown material includes tree and hedge prunings, egg boxes, thin cardboard packaging, old bedding plants, straw or hay bedding from rabbits and guinea pigs and leaves in small quantities. To speed up the breakdown woody prunings should be chopped or shredded into small pieces.
 
Do not add diseased plants, cat litter or dog faeces as they can carry diseases. Cooked food and meat can attract rats to the compost bin.