Composting 101: Turning Organic Waste into Gold

The food and organic waste that you throw into the bin is potential gold that can benefit your garden and the environment. How? Composting the waste into an organic fertiliser that enriches your soil. 

As a paper and cardboard recycling company in Melbourne, we always advocate for natural and sustainable practices for managing waste. 

That’s why today we bring you this composting 101 guide. We’ll discuss the basics, benefits, and how to compost your organic waste at home as a pro. Ready? Let’s go!

What is Composting?

Composting is simply the natural organic waste recycling process. It entails the process of breaking down organic waste like kitchen scraps into a natural fertiliser. 

However, this process can take a long time. Composting speeds it up by creating an ideal environment for microorganisms like bacteria to break down the waste. The end product is what we refer to as compost or black gold, a dark matter that’s rich in nutrients.

Composting Benefits 

Organic waste recycling is a win-win for you and the environment. Below are three key benefits of composting your food waste. 

1. Reduce the Carbon Footprint 

Organic waste in landfills is a major pollutant. According to a DCCEEW report, the waste contributes up to 13 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. 

Composting your food waste can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which in turn also reduces the land and air pollution. 

2. Improve Soil Quality 

Compost supplies your garden with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which makes the soil more fertile. It acts as an organic fertiliser, eliminating the need for commercial fertilisers that may damage the soil. 

Compost also increases the soil’s water retention, aeration, and structure. Adding compost to the soil helps balance the pH levels and suppress weeds, reducing the dependency on chemicals. 

3. Reduce Waste 

Statistics by Foodbank show that Australians generate over 7.6 million tonnes of food waste annually. Composting your kitchen scraps helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. 

What You Can/Cannot Compost at Home

You’ve now learnt the composting benefits, and you’re ready to start composting. But before you get started, do you know the materials that can/cannot be composted? If not, let’s learn in the section below. 

What Can You Compost?

Most living things, like plants, can be composted. Some of the common materials that you can compost at home include: 

• Cardboard
• Fruits and vegetables 
• Leaves and grass clippings
• Sawdust and wood chips 
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea bags
• Shredded newspaper 
• Crushed eggshells
  

What You Can’t Compost?

Avoid adding dairy and animal products like meat, grease, and fish to your compost. Why? The products may release odour and attract pests, flies, and rodents. Also, avoid putting diseased plants or pet waste, as it may contain harmful bacteria.

Other materials that shouldn’t go into the compost include: 

• Plastic and synthetic materials like nylon 
• Treated/painted wood 
• Non-biodegradable materials like metal 
• Glossy or coloured paper 
• Oily, greasy, or processed foods 
• Plants treated with chemicals 

Tip: Seek assistance from an organic waste recycling company that can collect the non-compost materials at your home or business. 

How to Compost Organic Waste at Home

Composting organic waste at home doesn’t have to be complicated. Below are the five steps to follow. 

1. Select a Suitable Composting Method 

You can either compost your waste outdoors or indoors. Outdoor composting can involve different methods, like using a compost bin or burying the materials in a trench. For the indoor option, you introduce worms to the compost, like red wigglers, to help decompose the materials. 

Choose the perfect method based on the available resources. For example, an indoor or worm farm is a good option if you have limited outdoor space. 

2. Choose an Ideal Location

Your compost should be in a dry and shady location that doesn’t get direct sunlight. Don’t place the compost system in an area with poor drainage or directly under the rain to avoid it getting too soggy. 

3. Gather the Materials 

The rule of thumb is to have 3x more brown than green material. Brown materials like paper and dead branches add carbon, while greens release nitrogen. 

4. Begin the Process

Layer the materials, starting with browns, then greens, with a ratio of about 3:1 parts (browns to greens). Ensure the compost is most and well aerated to encourage decomposition. 

5. Keep Monitoring 

Turn the materials regularly to encourage aeration. Maintain the right moisture for composting to take place. If it’s too dry, add wet materials or sprinkle some water. Check the temperature, and if it appears hot, it means it’s working. 

Final Steps

Composting can take weeks or months, depending on the size and materials used. Keep turning and adding materials until you get the final product. Use the compost in your garden, to prepare seedbeds, or in flower/plant pots to improve soil fertility and health. 

So, What Next?

Start composting your food waste today. Save the environment while making natural fertiliser for your garden. But what about the materials that can’t be recycled? Talk to us at AB Recycling for help managing your waste.