WEST Devon residents are encouraged to 'have a grow' at home composting as part of National Compost Awareness Week May 1 to 7.

The week aims to encourage people who do not compost to get involved. Those already converted to composting could take another look at how they can do more.

As much as a third of UK household waste can be composted but it is thought that only 30% of us compost at home?

Of those who do, many say they have never tried composting general household waste such as scrunched up or shredded paper or vacuum cleaner waste.  

Composting helps to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste ending up in landfill. Vegetable peelings and garden waste which biodegrades in landfill breaks down in the absence of air and creates methane, a powerful global warming gas.

The same waste composted at home produces no methane and provides free fertiliser and soil improver that helps vegetable crops, shrubs and flowers to grow.

West Devon Borough Council has a variety of compost bins for sale from £12 from the offices at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, or St James Street, Okehampton. The bins are made in Devon from recycled plastic.

For more information call West Devon Borough Council environmental services on 01822 813600 or go to the website http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/service">www.westdevon.gov.uk/service