Water retaining gel

[Lyn]

Any advice as to what to do with the old compost from last year's hanging baskets and containers which still have water-retaining gel "globules" in?
What is this gel made from? To date last year's old
globules have not diminished at all, and I am reluctant to put the compost which contains them on to the soil or the compost heap. Also, if I continue to use them in the interests of saving water, will I be creating a "gel mountain" for the future? (!) Any ideas?
Regards, Lyn

[Compo]

I have composted this stuff before and it eventually breaks down, I am told it is fairly bio degradable, and I certainly dont see I at all when I take the results ouof the compost heap next year.

[Tigger]

Me too - it eventually vanishes in the compost.

[Lyn]

Thanks for that, Compo and Tigger. I hadn't realised that the stuff was bio-degradable. I'll be a lot happier using it now. I am still intrigued as to what it is made of, though ...
Lyn