Anyone who has not yet discovered the money-saving and environmental benefits of composting at home is encouraged to take advantage of the Suffolk Waste Partnership's offer of cheap compost bins before it expires at the end of this month.

The discount scheme to get residents into the habit of converting their fruit and vegetable peelings into compost will stop on Wednesday 30 September.

“All councils across Suffolk and the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) are giving people the opportunity to buy the equipment necessary to make compost at a bargain price, but unfortunately this offer will expire at the end of the month,” said Cllr Roy Barker, spokesperson for the Suffolk Waste Partnership.

"This year has seen an increase in people growing their own fruit and vegetables, in the comfort of their own home. By purchasing a compost bin, residents will be able to use the bin to dispose of any fruit and vegetable peelings, along with any fruit and vegetables that have turned 'bad' and to then reap the benefits next year by using the compost to help the Summer fruit and vegetables."

Home composting is the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly way to deal with the compostable material that makes up 30 per cent of an average household’s waste, as it requires no transport or processing and is an environmentally-friendly alternative to peat-based compost.

Teabags, fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, straw, hay, bedding from rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs or other vegetarian pets, dead leaves, prunings, grass cuttings, weeds, shredded paper, sawdust and cardboard can all be composted at home.

“Anyone interested in cutting out the middleman and joining the massive home composting green army, to make the most of their leftover food and garden waste is urged to bag themselves a great deal by buying a home compost bin before the end of the month,” added Cllr Barker.

The 220 litre Compost Converter bin costs just £17, the 330 litre version is £20 and the 320 litre modular KOMP bin can be purchased for £48. These prices include delivery. To order a compost bin, call 0845 076 0223 or visit http://www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk/