Bulking agent question

[GeoffC]

I have numerous polystyrene containers/sheets from various packaging.
I ken they won't decompose, but would they suit as bulking agent, if broken down into different size pieces - a-kin to those in the hotbin bulking supply?

They can either be left in the final compost or even recycled back into the next bin.

[GeoffC]

I've just started my bin after receiving it a couple of days ago.

Not too sure how much 15 litres of bulking agent should look like, but given the size of the bag it must have reduced significantly in volume in transit
It's only a fifth full.

My first hand-full was just one piece, 5 inches long and about inch thick......

[Maggie Blundell]

Hello, is it ok to just use clean cat litter ? I'm struggling to stop my hot bin becoming one huge sludge during winter . No cat but happy to buy some cat litter. Have lots of cardboard but no grass clippings, plenty of food waste.

[HotBinDjinn]

I've just started my bin after receiving it a couple of days ago.

Not too sure how much 15 litres of bulking agent should look like, but given the size of the bag it must have reduced significantly in volume in transit
It's only a fifth full.

My first hand-full was just one piece, 5 inches long and about inch thick......

15 litres of bulking agent doesn't look like much. One of those square plastic bales of bark chippings you see in garden centres is normally 100 litres

[HotBinDjinn]

I have numerous polystyrene containers/sheets from various packaging.
I ken they won't decompose, but would they suit as bulking agent, if broken down into different size pieces - a-kin to those in the hotbin bulking supply?

They can either be left in the final compost or even recycled back into the next bin.

It would be an interesting experiment. However, you will end up getting small bits of it in the compost. I know some folks add it to compost for water retention, but the less plastic that gets into the environment the better. I've just used offcuts of wood or bits of branch cut into one or two-inch lengths. They seem to work ok and can go through the composter several times before they decompose into compost.

[HotBinDjinn]

Hello, is it ok to just use clean cat litter ? I'm struggling to stop my hot bin becoming one huge sludge during winter . No cat but happy to buy some cat litter. Have lots of cardboard but no grass clippings, plenty of food waste.

Cat litter will absorb some of the excess moisture, but I think it's a bit small-grained to be any use as a bulking agent. Handfuls of broken-up twigs work as a bulking agent and help drainage. Twigs are easy to find and if they are dead and dry, all the better. They absorb moisture and compost much quicker than green twigs.

[Maggie Blundell]

Thank you. Appreciate this, will go on a twig hunt!

[Lindy]

what about wood pellets - do they absorb moisture?

[HotBinDjinn]

Can't say for sure, but if they are dry, I don't see why they wouldn't absorb moisture.