Greenhouse gas emissions”, “reduce, reuse, recycle”, “lessen carbon footprint”, “sustainable cropping”, “food miles” – these recently coined catch-phrases have come about for one reason only, our planet is suffering. Fighting this mammoth issue requires a concerted global response. Each and every one of us can make a small difference, starting in our own backyards.
**oaking compost
** Consider this information found on the website www.zerowaste.co.nz:
Each month, New Zealanders dispose of enough rubbish to fill a rugby field 30 stories high.
organic waste accounts for approximately one-third of all landfill waste.
Decomposing organic waste generates methane and leachate within a landfill.
Uncollected leachate can contaminate groundwater and soil.
These frightening facts can be seriously reduced by the simple act of home composting. Compost is the foundation of healthy plant growth and fundamental to organic gardening principles. It nurtures the soil, which in turn nurtures the plants. Compost encourages good soil organisms (worms etc) that, along with the compost itself, build soil structure, allowing free passage of water and nutrients.
In my small city garden plot, I use two plastic compost bins for my garden rubbish. When the first bin is full, I start the second bin. once the second bin is full, the first is ready to use. All my fresh food scraps (excluding meat and dairy products) go to the worm composter. The worms churn it over, eventually turning it into beautiful black compost.
A tap at the base of the worm bin allows liquid to be drained off and used as liquid fertiliser. This releases billions of micro-organisms into the soil, which continue to break down organic matter into a plant-available form.
With this simple system, the only organic waste I send to the landfill is meat and bone scraps. Now, if only we had a dog
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