Melton Reducing food waste at home is key if you want to do your bit for the environment, and the best way to put your food scraps to good use is to start composting. Here’s how.
Did you know that food scraps that end up in landfill do more damage to the environment than plastic, according to a recent Scottish climate change report? Well, now you do, so take note: It’s easy to start a compost system no matter what space you have. There’s no need to feel restricted and the feel-good benefits will last a lifetime.
According to Mike Ritchie, a compost expert and commentator on ABC’s War on Waste, each year three million tons of greenhouse gas emissions are created as a result of domestic food and garden waste going into landfill.
Prevent food scraps from ending up in landfill and help do your bit to save the planet. We spoken to Bunnings garden buyer Ross Gehrig about the different compost systems that are surprisingly cheap and easy to get started. They also work in a variety of different spaces so you can pick the one that works best for your home.
Ross explains that around 60% of Australian household waste is made up of organics, making composting an easy and affordable way to reduce your home’s waste.
“With just a compost bin and some food scraps, you can get your compost started and help divert your scraps from landfill to create a rich resource for your plants or backyard.”
How to compost without a garden
- Indoor composting
Think you need a backyard to compost? Think again. Indoor composting systems are available for anyone that lives in an apartment or townhouse and has little or no outdoor space. That means renters can easily take their indoor compost buckets with them each time they move.
Unlike outdoor composting, indoor compost systems do not require oxygen and heat to work. Instead, the muesli mix that is layered between the scraps helps to break down the food. That means there’s no smell and you’ll end up with a great potting mix to use on your plants. Win-win.
- Share your scraps with a neighbourhood garden
If composting just isn’t your jam, neighbourhood gardens and composting groups might be a better option for you. They are easy to find too as they’re popping up in suburbs around the country. Your council website is a great place to start researching; some groups and gardens offer combined food and garden waste collections.
Check to see what your council offers and if they don’t have a plan for food waste then be sure to ask why.
Councils are starting to help reduce waste to landfill by collecting food scraps along with other household waste.
- In-ground worm farms
If you simply don’t have the space to deal with a large compost pile or don’t have permission to install one at your rental, try an in-ground compost system instead. Kits start from around $30 and the scraps take around two weeks to disappear, depending on the surrounding conditions.
Simply dig a hole in your outdoor space and bury the funnel-like container so only the top is showing. The kit also includes a lid, which means it’s disguised when not in use and won’t attract pests to your garden.
Then, when you have food scraps, all you need do is add them into the container. The worms in the soil will make quick work of everything you supply while also improving the soil quality of the garden.
To speed up the process you can pop in a box of compost worms, available from your local hardware store for around $30.
When it comes time to move all you need to do is dig it up and cover the hole over with soil.
An in-ground worm farm composting system is an easy way to deal with scraps.
- Use an above-ground bin
If your landlord is happy for you to have an above-ground compost bin, then great as these are easy and quick to set up. You just need a few items to get started and you’ll be creating compost like a pro, as well as reducing your waste each week.
