Spring is an ideal and easy time to begin composting so Surrey residents are being encouraged to go green and start, to help reduce the amount of food and garden waste going to landfill.

To help residents get started, there are discounted bins available through the Surrey Waste Partnership, and step-by-step guides available online at www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk on how to make compost and other useful advice.

Out of a total 536,000 tonnes of household waste currently produced in Surrey each year, it's estimated that around a third could be composted which would save the county an estimated £8.7 million in reduced landfill and green waste disposal costs each year.

Findings from a recent waste prevention survey carried out in the county - called Public Attitudes towards Waste in Surrey - showed that since April 2010, there has been a 4% increase in households composting which equates to approximately 18,000 new households now experiencing the benefits of composting.

Surrey Waste Partnership chairman Jean Pearson is pleased and enthusiastic about the number of residents already composting.

She said: "The survey also shows that there are now almost 200,000 households composting in Surrey. This helps our future environment by reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill and helps residents by creating free, good quality compost for their garden, in the most natural way.” If you’re not already composting in your garden, visit our website or call 0844 571 4444 to find out how easy it is to start.”

The sorts of items that can be composted include everyday food waste such as tea bags, egg boxes and vegetable peelings, and garden waste such as grass cuttings, twigs and wood chippings.

To find out more about how to get composting or buy a reduced-price bin, starting from only £14.00 visit www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk or call 0844 571 4444. You'll also find lots of other helpful tips and information there too.

The Surrey Waste Partnership is made up of Surrey County Council and the 11 district and borough councils in the county.