Composting organic waste
Turning organic waste into compost is nature's way of recycling. There are a number of systems you can use, mainly compost bins, worm farms and Bokashi. Come and visit the Sustainable Living Centre's compost zone to get ideas and inspiration, or get the 'know how' at one of our regular composting workshops.
Why compost?
Dealing with our own organic waste plays a crucial part in reducing Auckland's growing waste issues, and creates valuable plant and soil food at the same time. It's common knowledge that organic waste is taking up valuable space in Auckland landfills. But it's much more than a space problem - organic matter breaking down in landfills produces methane. This gas contributes to climate change.
It makes much better environmental sense to process organic waste at home. There are a myriad of ways that you can get your organic waste to decompose into compost - which just happens to be the best thing you can do for your garden. Over time, compost will break up clay soils and provide perfect growing conditions for edible gardens, flowering borders, trees and shrubs. Why waste this valuable resource by sending it to the dump?
Composting options
- Cold composting: This system is good for people who want to add material over time and do not mind if it takes between 6-18 months to produce compost. Choose from a wide range of pre-made plastic bins at your local plant or hardware store, or make your own by drilling air holes into an old lidded drum (Make sure your recycled drum hasn't stored anything toxic first!) or build or buy a wooden compost bin.
- Hot composting: For gardeners who have a lot of organic waste and want to have finished compost in less than 6 months. Large quantities of organic matter are required to build a big compost heap on one day. Having two or three wooden bins is useful to turn the heap depending on stages of decomposition.
- Hay bale system: This is simply a box made with hay bales - the compost ingredients are thrown into the middle. The compost is insulated by the bales, but aerated as well. To create more heat, the heap can be covered with black plastic.
- Worm farms: Worms do the work for you by eating food scraps and producing vermicast and vermi liquid. This is a great option if you don't have many garden clipppings.
- Bokashi: This is an airtight composting system that helps to break down food scraps, including bread, pasta, meat, and cheese, which shouldn't go into compost heaps or worm farms. 'Compost-Zing' is sprinkled on each layer of food until the bin is full, and then it is sealed and left for 2 weeks to finish the fermentation process. Food scraps are turned into pickled, nutrient rich material which can be buried in your garden as a soil conditioner or added to your compost as an accelerator. A liquid is also produced that can be used as a drain cleaner, or diluted, can be used as a liquid fertiliser.
Here are some useful websites:
Our resources page lists a number of books, magazines, websites, and workshops you might also find helpful. You can purchase worm farms and Bokashi systems at the Sustainable Living Centre.
