What to bring to a composting workshop

A composting workshop needs more than bins and garden tools. Plan one practical work station for every four to six participants, with gloves, hand shovels, buckets, compost materials, and a way to measure moisture or temperature. You will also need printed handouts, writing supplies, drinks, and simple serving items for the break. Use this shopping list to check quantities before shopping and to avoid discovering missing tools during setup.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Beer tablesqty 2

Workshop materials

Compost binsqty 3
Clear compost binsqty 2
Compost thermometersqty 2
Hand shovelsqty 6
Garden toolsqty 6
Work glovesqty 12
Bucketsqty 6
Watering canqty 2
Scale
Wood chipsqty 4
Dry leavesqty 4
Shredded cardboardqty 3
Compost sieveqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 6
Information boardsqty 4
Printed handoutsqty 40
Clipboardsqty 6
Markersqty 12
Writing pensqty 40
Tapeqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 45
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee potsqty 3
Teapotsqty 2

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Serving traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Tea towelsqty 12
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2

Lighting

Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Tea sugar - 1 pack
- Honey - 1 jar
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Unsweetened apple juice - 2 liters
- Wholegrain biscuits - 4 packs
- Oatmeal cookies - 4 packs
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Unsalted nuts - 2 bags
- Raisins - 2 bags
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Whole grain crackers - 5 packs
- Whole wheat bread - 5 loaves
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Halal vegetable spread - 4 jars
- Vegetable and fruit scraps - 3 kilos
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Compostable trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 2 packs

Tips

Prepare one pair of work gloves and one hand shovel per participant, plus at least two spare pairs of each. Shared tools slow down the practical demonstration and leave people waiting.
Provide one compost bin for the demonstration and one clear bin so participants can see the layers. Add one compost thermometer and a scale if the workshop includes temperature or weight measurements.
For each participant, allow roughly 1–2 litres of mixed compost material for hands-on practice. Combine wood chips, dry leaves, and shredded cardboard rather than bringing only one dry material.
Print one handout per participant and bring 10% extra copies. Put the handouts on clipboards with pens, and keep markers and tape available for the information boards and station labels.
Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before participants arrive, and count reusable cups, plates, and cutlery separately from the workshop tools.

Frequently asked questions

How many compost bins do I need for a composting workshop?: Use two bins for a basic demonstration: one regular compost bin and one clear compost bin. For groups larger than 12 people, add one extra practical station for every 4–6 participants rather than making everyone gather around one bin.
How many tools should I buy for a composting workshop?: Plan one hand shovel and one pair of work gloves per participant, with at least two spare sets. Provide one bucket per 4–6 participants, plus shared garden tools and a watering can at each practical station.
How much compost material do I need per person?: Allow about 1–2 litres of material per participant for a hands-on exercise. Bring a mix of wood chips, dry leaves, and shredded cardboard, and keep extra dry material available in case the mix becomes too wet.
How many handouts and drinks should I prepare?: Print one handout per registered participant and add 10% extra copies. For drinks, allow 2–3 per person during the first hour and one additional drink per person for every following hour.

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