Household Composting FAQs
Bristol Living Compost Project
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Got questions about composting, collections, buckets, or memberships?
You’re not alone.
Here are the most common questions we’re asked about the Bristol Living Compost Project.
What is the Bristol Living Compost Project?
The Bristol Living Compost Project is a community-led household food waste collection and composting service for Bristol.
Run by Generation Soil CIC, we collect food waste locally, compost it using biological processes, and return nutrients to Bristol soils where they can grow food and restore ecosystems.This service is Bristol-only.
Who can join?
The project is open to:
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Households in Bristol
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Small organisations and community spaces
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Schools (via specific programmes)
If you live within our Bristol collection area, you can join as a household member.
👉 Join the Bristol Living Compost Project
What food waste can I put in the bucket?
You can add:
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Fruit and vegetables
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Cooked food and leftovers
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Bread, rice, pasta, grains
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Tea bags and coffee grounds
You should not add:
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Plastic or packaging
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Liquids or large amounts of oil
The bokashi fermentation process makes this much more flexible than traditional composting.
Will it smell?
No. The system uses bokashi fermentation, which:
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Prevents rotting
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Stops smells
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Keeps flies and maggots away
Buckets are sealable and clean even when kept indoors.
This is one of the main reasons members switch from council food waste bins.
How often is food waste collected?
Collections are on request, not fixed weekly rounds.
When your bucket is full:
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You request a collection
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We swap it for a clean bucket
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We top up your bokashi bran
This keeps collections flexible and reduces unnecessary transport.
Where does my food waste go?
Your food waste:
It does not go to landfill.
It does not leave the city.
Do I get compost back?
Yes, depending on your membership. Members can:
Most households choose Soil Saviour, which provides enough compost to meaningfully support gardens and shared growing spaces.
What is “living compost”?
Living compost is compost that contains:
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Active microbial communities
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Stable organic matter
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Bioavailable nutrients
Unlike digestate or green waste compost, living compost:
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Builds soil structure
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Improves water retention
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Supports biodiversity
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Stores carbon naturally
It feeds soil life, not just plants.
How is this different from council food waste collection?
Council systems usually:
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Transport waste long distances
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Prioritise disposal or energy generation
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Return little biological value to soil
Our system:
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Keeps food waste local
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Uses biological processes
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Returns nutrients to Bristol soil
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Supports local food growing
It’s composting as regeneration, not waste removal.
Is this suitable for flats or small homes?
Yes. Many members:
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Live in flats
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Have no garden
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Don’t want outdoor bins
We use 20-litre sealable buckets that are compact, clean, and suitable for kitchens or utility spaces.
This works because we use bokashi fermentation, which stabilises food waste early. Fermentation prevents rotting, suppresses odours, and helps prevent the attraction of flies and pests.
As long as the lid is kept sealed and the system is used as guided, the bucket remains clean and odour-free indoors.
No outdoor bin required.
What if I don’t need compost myself?
That’s fine. Compost can be:
Your membership still supports local soil regeneration.
Can I change or cancel my membership?
Yes. You can:
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Change plans
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Upgrade or downgrade
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Cancel at any time
Annual memberships offer better value but are optional.
Is this a subscription or a service?
It’s both. Your membership:
Rather than paying for waste disposal, you’re supporting a working loop.
Do you offer support or advice?
Yes. Members receive:
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Clear guidance on using the system
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Access to workshops and events
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Ongoing support if you have questions
Still have questions?
We’re happy to help.
👉 Join the Bristol Living Compost Project
Composting With Care, Not Control
The Bristol Living Compost Project is designed to fit real life.Simple.Local.Biological.Made in Bristol.Powered by people, compost, and hope.
About Generation Soil
Who are you and what do you do?
We’re a Bristol-based social enterprise turning local food waste into living compost. Using microbes, community action, and regenerative principles, we’re restoring the city’s soils one bucket at a time. Every handful of our compost helps reduce landfill waste, boost soil biodiversity, and strengthen local food security.
Why is soil health so important?
Healthy soil is full of life; bacteria, fungi, worms, and tiny organisms that recycle nutrients and store carbon. Without living soil, plants struggle, food systems break down, and ecosystems suffer. Regenerating soil means regenerating life.
Composting and Food Waste
What happens to the food waste you collect?
Your food scraps are fermented using bokashi, a microbe-powered process that prevents rot and odour. The fermented material is then mixed with local woodchip and processed in our in-vessel composters before maturing naturally into rich, biologically active compost.
Can I compost if I don’t have a garden?
Yes! That’s exactly what our Bristol Living Compost Project was designed for. You can join our food waste collection scheme and still take part in soil regeneration; no garden required.
What can go in the food waste bucket?
Pretty much everything; fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, cooked food, bread, dairy, and even small bones. Bokashi composting allows a much wider range of materials than traditional garden composting.
Living Compost and Soil Products
What’s the difference between your compost and shop-bought compost?
Commercial compost is often sterile and lifeless. Our Living Compost is full of beneficial microorganisms that keep soil alive, improve water retention, and enhance plant health. It’s 100% peat-free, chemical-free, and locally made in Bristol.
How do I use Living Compost?
Use it as a mulch, soil conditioner, or in potting mixes. A small amount goes a long way. It inoculates your soil with microbes that continue improving fertility over time.
Is Living Compost suitable for houseplants?
Yes! Mix one part living compost with two parts regular soil or coir to give indoor plants a microbial boost.
Projects and Community
What is the Bristol Living Compost Project?
It’s our city-wide initiative connecting households, schools, and businesses to regenerate local soil. Members contribute food waste, and we return compost to community gardens and green spaces across Bristol.
Can I volunteer?
Absolutely! @e welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities. Whether you’d like to help process compost, plant trees, or support our educational workshops, there’s a way to get involved.
Do you run workshops or talks?
Yes! We run hands-on composting workshops, school sessions, and business training focused on sustainability, soil health, and circular food systems.
Supporting Regeneration
How does buying from Generation Soil help?
Every purchase, whether it’s compost, art, or handmade patches supports our mission to reduce food waste, create living soils, and empower communities through education and local action.
Is Generation Soil a CIC?
Yes, we’re a Community Interest Company (CIC), which means all profits are reinvested into community composting, soil regeneration, and food education projects across Bristol.
Final Thoughts
We believe composting is more than recycling, it’s a way of rebuilding the connection between people and planet.
If you don’t find your answer here, please reach out or visit our Compost Clinic for tailored advice on soil health and community composting.
Together, we can turn food waste into living soil and help Bristol thrive from the ground up.