International Compost Week
The extreme heat over the summer months and ongoing drought brought the worst bushfire season we have seen in Australia, destroying houses, local businesses, vegetation and wildlife. The impact was felt further than by those directly in line of the fires, however, and it has meant that Australians everywhere are calling for change in the way we use and re-use our resources. One way to achieve long-term sustainability for our environment is adopting a ‘Circular Economy’ model. Already adopted by many countries, this approach encourages the recycling of resources through a closed-loop system where recyclable materials such as food waste is diverted from landfill and re-used. Composting is nature’s circular economy, where food waste is reduced and reused, with its nutrients recycled into fertiliser. By returning these nutrients back to the soil, rather than letting organic waste rot away in landfills, we can feed diverse life in the soil. The bacteria, fungi, insects and worms in compost support better soil health and plant growth, ultimately boosting its resilience to cope with harsh drought conditions. May 3rd to 9th marks International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) in Australia, a time when households are being encouraged to consider or even promote the importance and benefits of composting in their local communities.
Here are some ways you can do your bit for the circular economy, instead of throwing organic waste into the rubbish bin: – Compost it in a compost bin or make your own compost heap in a corner of your garden. – Feed it to a worm farm, but remember, worms don’t like citrus, spicy food, garlic, onions, meat, dairy and processed foods such as bread or pasta. – Put it in the green bin – food waste is often allowed, depending on your Council. – Feed it to your chooks – if you are lucky enough to have a backyard! – If you live in an apartment, a Bokashi Bin might be more suitable or you might find a community garden near you that will happily take your organic waste, as they usually have a few compost bins and worm farms.
Source: EPS Property Search
