Green fingered residents are once again encouraged to down tools and log on to a virtual composting session this month.

Following the success of previous virtual composting zoom sessions, Dudley Council is again running a free training session for green fingered residents on Thursday 20 October at 6pm.

The free live online tutorial is led by Garden Organic, the National Charity for Organic Growing. They have over 60 years’ experience of organic growing and composting and run regular online tutorials to help people get the most out of their garden organically.

In the session participants will learn about the benefits of composting to both garden and the environment, how the composting process works, how to compost at home, what can go in a home compost bin and the different types of bins available. They will also be running through their most frequently asked questions and troubleshooting common problems.

Attendees on the evening will be entered into a free prize draw where the winner will receive a £100 voucher for Great Green Systems. People can join with their cameras off or on and the hosts are happy to answer any questions about the composting process.

The session will run for one-and-a-half hours, including a Q&A element and places are limited to 100 and are available on a first come first served basis. Anyone wishing to attend either session should email waste.recycling@dudley.gov.uk to register and receive the link. Councillor Shaz Saleem, cabinet member elect for public realm, said:

"We’ve had great uptake with our previous sessions, with nearly 200 people joining us so far to learn about composting. We took the decision to offer it again, during National Recycle Week, enabling us to reach more of our green fingered residents.

"Composting is an easy way to help reduce everyone’s carbon footprint, putting goodness back into earth while growing delicious fruit, vegetables and beautiful flowers.

"I hope residents will sign up for this free online session and get top tips for making the most of their gardens. Everyone who attends will also be signposted to our discounted compost bins to further increase their composting capacity."