The Beagle
May 1, 2018
Next week (May 6-12) is International Composting Awareness Week and Eurobodalla Council is urging more residents to take the pledge to compost.
Composting is free, good for the environment, great for your garden and reduces waste going to landfill and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
Council’s Sustainability Education Officer Gillian Kearney said about one-third of the content of Eurobodalla’s residents’ red-lid bins was organic – either food scraps or garden vegetation – which could be put to better use.
“Compost improves soil quality, helping it to retain moisture, and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers and manures,” she said.
“The best part is, it’s easy to do.”
Eurobodalla Council offers incentives to encourage residents to get composting. More than 900 homes have taken advantage of Council’s home composting workshops since they began in 2012. The workshops are free and participants receive a voucher for a compost bin on completion.
“The younger generation also learnt about the importance of compost critters with a compost bug hunt activity held at all three libraries during the recent school holidays,” Ms Kearney said.
“Bugs and microorganisms play a key role in breaking organic matter down into compost. Without hard-working composting superbugs, composting can’t happen.
“Council also hosts worm farming workshops in addition to the free home composting workshops. Schools and pre-schools can arrange for workshops and activities as well.”
For more information about composting, including tips and troubleshooting, visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au and search for “home composting”. To register for Council’s composting or worm farming workshops phone Council’s waste services on 4474 1024.
Above: KEEP BUGGING ME: Children enjoyed hunting for bugs and making mini compost terrariums at composting activities held at Eurobodalla libraries during the recent school holidays.