Merton Council has joined a campaign launched by Recycle Now to promote the benefits of home composting in the borough.

Over the next year, council officers will join the organisation in highlighting the importance of composting as part of an environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Subsidised compost bins are also being provided in the second year of the campaign, with 1,376 already sold to Merton residents.

Philippa Forrester, former Wimbledon resident and supporter of the Recycle Now campaign, said: "Composting at home is just one small step towards making sure that we minimise the amount of waste we create, but if everybody gets involved then it makes a huge difference."

To celebrate Compost Awareness Week 2008, anyone in Merton buying a compost bin before May 10 will be put into a draw to win £50 worth of garden centre vouchers.