Homemade compost is nutrient-rich and can be made from decomposed materials such as food scraps and leaves. It’s a key component when it comes to organic gardening and can be used to give garden plants a boost.

Knowing what is safe to chuck into your compost bin can be confusing, but an expert has shared which foods to add and which ones to avoid. Angela Slater, gardening expert at Hayes Garden World, said: “Disposing of your leftovers into a compost pile rather than in your household bin reduces the amount of waste that will ultimately end up in landfills.

“In turn, this helps minimise the levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.

“Leftover food is also hugely beneficial for soil health, with composting encouraging the soil to hold water and nutrients for longer and improving many of its overall physical properties.

“This event contributes towards higher crop yields, meaning that throwing your food waste into a compost heap could lead to a flourishing garden.

“Composting is equally a great way to combat the guilt we all feel when letting our food go to waste.

“Knowing that our leftovers can have a purpose beyond our dinner plates will make mealtimes much more enjoyable.”

According to the expert, items such as meat and fish should never be put into a compost pile.

The same goes for any baked goods like cake, bread and biscuits.

The expert warned that these foods “only attract vermin” such as mice and rats. Cooked foods should also “never” be added to compost as they may go mouldy.

Angela also advised against foods like milk, cream, yoghurt, cheese and butter because pests may be attracted to them.

The same goes for oils and fats, as well as processed foods, because the compost simply won’t be good enough to use.

Instead, use foods like banana peels and crushed eggshells.

The expert said: “Crushed eggshells are a valuable compost material as they inject calcium.”