Local residents lead the way with Kitchen to Compost

Published on 25 November 2021

When the residents of Eastpoint Tower in Edgecliff found out they could use their green bins to compost their food scraps via our Kitchen to Compost service, the owners’ corporation was keen to make it work for the complex of 99 apartments.

The tower is now a composting success story.

Building Manager Joanna Seremet said setting up a process for such a large building involved some problem solving and engagement with residents was key.

“We asked Council for a bulk order of kitchen caddies, which we distributed to residents. We put flyers under people’s doors and posters in all the bin rooms and a big poster on our community notice board.

“We placed our green bins in our basement carpark, and asked people to drop off their food waste on the way to their cars.

“It was all about making it clear and easy,” Joanna said.

Dr David Wilson putting compost into the green bin at Eastpoint Tower.

Dr David Wilson a long-time owner in the building and past owners’ corporation chairman, was the driving force behind the change.

“I’ve always been interested in conserving the local environment. I have children and grandchildren and I think about what the future will be like for them. If we all do our little bit, we can make a difference,” David said.

The “food scraps” project was originally trialled for one floor in June this year and then offered to all residents from August 2021, with 45 out of the 99 units in the building now participating.

“We decided that if it was going to work for the building, it had to be free, it had to be effortless and it had to make people feel they were doing something positive and worthwhile,” building treasurer Johanna Martin said.

Composting has taken off at Eastpoint Tower: (L-R) Johanna Martin, Dr David Wilson, Joanna Seremet and Kris Pruszynski.

Building Manager, Joanna Seremet shared a few tips for people living in apartments who are considering getting involved with Kitchen-to-Compost:

• Make it easy: “Our residents can drop off their waste on the way to their car.”
• Use clear signs: “We made our own signs (for the bin rooms) with big text on A3 paper, to help residents, explaining where everything can go – from glass and bottles to kitchen waste, batteries and soft plastic.”
• Start with a trial period and make changes if needed: “We started with a three-month trial and said we’d iron out any bumps and take on any suggestions. In the end, the things people were worried about, like rats and the smell, all turned out be furphies.”
• Remember every little bit helps: “It’s a way that everyone can do something to better our environment at little or no cost to themselves. Why wouldn’t you want to compost or recycle everything you can?”

If you’d like support getting a Kitchen to Compost process established in your strata complex email kitchentocompost@woollahra.nsw.gov.au or find out more.