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Compost Smarter

to #ChangeTheOutcome on Food Waste

Get into composting with these easy tips and tricks

For many Australians, composting can seem challenging: it can be a little messy, maybe a little too smelly, or it’s only for people who have a green thumb. But, composting your food waste is a great way to give back to mother earth, quite literally. Whether you live in an apartment or have a big backyard, everyone can create an at-home compost or get involved in composting initiatives.

If you are considering composting, here are some tips to get you started:

  1. 1. Choose a method and location that suits you and your home
    If you are looking to compost at home1, choosing the right location and a method that best suits your home is essential. If you have limited space or a smaller backyard, static or tumbling compost bins are a great option, whereas, for bigger backyards, opt for a purpose-built compost pile or bay. For those who have balconies, you can use a bin with a capacity of 75L, which will be enough for smaller households to compost their waste regularly. Just make sure you select one with small holes on the bottom as keeping your compost aerated will keep it healthier and thriving for longer.

    For anyone who does not have a backyard or outdoor space, you can invest in an indoor compost bin which can be taken to your local council compost program to ensure your food scraps are thrown away effectively. The key to getting started with composting is making sure you select the correct compost bin as this will ensure you are composting correctly for your lifestyle while avoiding any mess.

  1. 2. Visit local farmers markets and council compost programs
    Most Aussies who live in apartments find it hard to compost as they have limited space (indoors or on their balcony) or think it will leave their home with an odour. If you can’t find the space to have a compost bin at home, one way you can compost is by visiting your local farmers market or council compost program2 where you can drop off your food waste instead!

  1. 3. What to compost vs what not to compost
    Understanding what food scraps and products are compostable can sometimes be tricky. But here are a couple of rules of thumb to follow:

    • When looking at food scraps, if they can be eaten or grown in a field or garden, i.e., fruits, vegetables, grains or bread, then you can throw it in your compost bin.
    • Products like cardboard or newspapers can also be thrown in your compost bins. Check to see if your product has the ‘AS5810 compostable logo’ like the Glad to be Green® Compostable Baking Paper, as this means they can be home composted after use. Products with the ‘AS4736 compostable logo’ can be composted with your local council program – both of which help to reduce the amount of waste headed for landfill.

    Items you should refrain from composting include meat, oil, fat or grease, weeds that go to seed, sawdust, and animal feces. These items can cause problems in your garden and if they are added to your compost, they can make it smell and attract unwanted guests3.

  1. 4. Storing your food scraps efficiently
    It’s great to feel a sense of achievement knowing you’re doing your part to help the environment by composting your food scraps; however, some people are unsure of how to store food scraps efficiently to avoid unnecessary kitchen mess.

    The best way to store food scraps until they’re thrown into the compost bin is by getting a lidded kitchen compost caddy. You can keep this near your sink or beneath it. The Glad to be Green® Compostable Caddy Liners are perfect for your lidded compost caddy’s as they are certified home compostable and keep the caddy compost clean. Once your kitchen compost caddy is full, you can neatly throw your food scraps into your compost bin without any mess whilst knowing you’re contributing to help improve our planet.

  1. 5. Size up how small you’re chopping up your food waste
    Size matters when it comes to how big or small your food waste is cut up4. Many think that the more you chop up your food waste, the better the results with your compost. Whilst this is true, too much chopping can result in your compost becoming soupy and soggy. By cutting everything into small pieces, your compost pile will lack pore spaces for air – when your compost is in the decomposition process, the air is crucial for it to thrive long-term.

  1. 6. Rotate your pile
    Turning your compost pile5 is the same as cooking a soup – you can’t let it sit one way for too long as it can slow down the decomposition process causing your compost to grow anaerobic bacteria. Physically mixing your compost pile every 4-5 weeks will release air holes and continuously keep the oxygen in your compost bin moving and help break down waste.
  1. 7. Get into a composting routine
    Many may find composting a little confronting and maybe the one extra household task that may slip off your list. Try to get into a composting routine by taking your compost scraps to your bin or heap every night after dinner (it’s just like taking out the garbage bin – you can do both at the same time). You’ll soon get the hang of it and quickly become a composting pro!

    These tips can help you compost smarter and correctly throw your food scraps away, ensure your compost is continuously thriving and help you reduce the amount of food you waste in your home, and ultimately help protect our environment – so it’s a win, win!

1https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2019/05/guide-to-composting

2https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/composting-for-apartments/

3 https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/compost/how-to-compost/

4https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20706372/compost-pile-mistakes/

5https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/a43043/composting/