With the future of our planet so uncertain, there are no excuses not to go green.

One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to target household waste. Food scraps account for nearly half of what most Kiwis toss into landfill each week, and the organic waste creates methane - a gas that erodes the ozone layer, causing higher temperatures.

But there is a way to dispose of your waste without clogging landfill: composting. And if you have a green thumb, this practice is useful as well as ethical.

The process works when the right combination of fungi, bacteria, oxygen and moisture are combined in a compost pile to accelerate the breakdown of organic waste. The resulting product is excellent for improving soil quality in gardens.

If composting sounds like it would work for you, the first thing to decide is whether to go with a bin or a pile. Plastic bins such as the Gardenmate Composter are available from The Warehouse and Bunnings from $56 for a 250-litre bin or $79 for 340 litres. Alternatively, you could construct your own bin with timber and bricks. If you opt for a compost pile, you'll need to cover it with canvas to retain heat and protect against heavy downpours.

Place your compost bin or pile in a level, shaded area of soil. Begin with a 150mm layer of coarse organic material for good drainage and ventilation, such as twigs, mulch or commercial starter purchased from a garden centre.

Layer waste from the kitchen and garden on top, keeping a balance of materials with a high carbon content (such as garden waste) and nitrogen-rich items (kitchen scraps). Put simply, you need an even mix of greens and browns (see The Right Balance, below). You also need to keep moisture levels high, which may mean occasional watering - but be careful not to overdo it.

The key to composting is turning. Use a shovel to turn the materials every four to six weeks to ensure oxygenation. The composting process takes about three to four months if the heap is turned regularly, and nine to 12 months if it isn't. When it's ready, dig the compost into the top 50 to 100mm of your garden's soil surface. Ideally, it should be done in autumn or spring.  This will improve soil texture, structure and fertility, which means happier, healthier plants and a spectacular garden. The right balance

The right balance

Green waste: vegetable and fruit scraps (cut into small pieces), tea leaves, coffee grounds, lawn clippings.

Brown waste: shredded paper and cardboard, sawdust, egg cartons, cereal boxes, branches and leaves.

Don't compost:

Meat and dairy products, because they'll attract rats.

Charcoal or ashes from coal as they may contain sulphur and iron, which will harm plants.

Cat or dog droppings, which can contain disease organisms.

Noxious weeds such as Wandering Jew - they will take hold again, just when you thought your garden was safe.

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