THE COUNCIL is encouraging residents to make their own compost at home to help the environment.

In the past few weeks, Colchester Council has used three tonnes of its own leaf mulch from last year on Castle Park’s flower beds.

By using its own mulch, the council has made use of the park’s fallen leaves, reduced its carbon footprint, saved money and helped next year’s plants to be healthier.

Staff and volunteers are now also collecting this autumn’s leaves to create more mulch for use next year.

Essex County Council has a compost bin special offer for residents where bins are available from £9.25.

There is also a multi-buy offer for residents with larger gardens or for those who team up with a friend or neighbour to buy a bin.

Vegetable peelings and eggshells can be used, as well as leftover pumpkins from Halloween, compostable products, shredded paper or the cuttings from the lawnmower.

Martin Goss, councillor responsible for waste and environment, said: “Creating and using our own mulch in Castle Park is a great example of recycling fallen leaves and is another step towards creating a greener, cleaner and better Colchester.

"Composting throughout the autumn and winter produces excellent compost for use in the spring and can really help residents with larger gardens by helping them to keep within the kerbside collection limits for garden waste.”

Colchester residents’ kerbside limits for garden waste is one full brown wheelie bin or four white sacks.

Residents requiring white sacks can claim up to four bags for free by downloading a voucher.

More information and the downloadable voucher can be found at www.colchester.gov.uk/recycling.