Composting and worm farming

Almost half the waste going into landfill is organic material (food and garden waste).  Composting can help reduce the waste in your bin by up to 50%.

Compost or use a worm farm at home to recycle organic materials and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. This is the most sustainable way to manage and best use organic resources, not to mention the wide range of benefits you can get from home composting.

What is compost?

Composting is a process whereby food and other organic matter are broken down naturally by micro-organisms to produce a nutrient rich, organic fertiliser.  Anything that was once living or was produced by something that lived can be composted.  For example, hair, corn cobs, manure, paper and grass cuttings.

Once finished, compost is dark in colour, moist and has a sweet earthy smell!

Compost can do the following:

  • Reduce the amount of waste being received at landfill
  • Improve soil structure, reduce soil erosion and moderate soil pH
  • Protect plants from pests and disease
  • Build soil fertility
  • Improve the ability of soil to absorb water
  • Provide essential plant nutrients
  • Bring life (in the form of micro-organisms) back to soil
  • Save time, money and water to cultivate plants and nourish soil.

In a single handful of rich compost there are more living organisms than there are human beings on the entire planet!

What is worm farming?

A worm farm uses similar principles to composting but it is the worms that are breaking down the food matter. Worm farming is done on a much smaller scale, which makes it ideal for anyone living in a unit as they can be stored on the balcony.

Worm farms can do the following:

  • Break down nearly all kinds of fruit and vegetable scraps and turn them into liquid fertiliser (worm tea) and castings
  • Worm tea can be used for fertilising plants, and castings are excellent potting mix for growing seedlings as well as a great nutrient source for mature plants
  • Provide an alternative to disposal of fruit and vegetable scraps at landfill
  • Improve soil by replacing nutrients and minerals leached out by plants and the elements.

Click on the links for information on how to build your own compost or worm farm

Where can I get a compost bin or worm farm?

Compost bins and worm farms can be purchased at any local hardware store, garden centre or even online retailer. The Yellow Pages also provides a good list of suppliers.

Why not save some money and make your own worm farm or compost bin. Worm farms can be made from old polystyrene boxes and compost bins can be made from old wheelie bins with the base cut out.

For more information about composting or worm farming, please contact Council's Waste Projects Coordinator on 9391 7966.

 

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