BARNSLEY residents are being encouraged to turn their garden waste into home compost this summer to save money and the environment.

The Barnsley Doncaster and Rotherham Waste Treatment Facility – based at Manvers – processes around a quarter of a million tonnes of leftover waste a year.

Its bosses are now urging locals to turn their garden waste into ‘garden gold’.

Waste experts from the BDR Renewi Waste Partnership have produced some helpful tips on how you can get started and benefit your plot and the environment.

Composting for just one year can save greenhouse gases equivalent to all the carbon dioxide produced by a kettle for one year, or a washing machine for three months.

Rebecca Wilson, from the facility, said: “We want to get residents composting at home as it puts our garden and food waste to good use.

“It helps to reduce waste, enriches the soil in our gardens which means healthier plants, saves you money and helps the climate by reducing greenhouse gases.

“Instead of throwing away cuttings why not compost them and turn them into plant food for next season?

“Setting up a compost bin is easy to do.

“If you would like to find out more about the different ways to compost your garden waste check out the Waste Less South Yorkshire website which contains lots of information and helpful tips.”