BUYING SMART
DOWN TO EARTH
Want to eliminate waste and help your garden grow? Composting is the ultimate solution – and getting started is simple.
BY ALEXANDRA GRZESIK
Composting has a long history; early evidence suggests it began in the Neolithic period to improve soil quality. While compost is still used as fertiliser today, it’ s more recently touted as a waste-reducing practice. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 45 percent of the 15.3 million tonnes of organic waste generated from 2018 – 2019 was sent to landfill, so the more we compost, the better.
Choosing a method
Will Papakostas is the General Manager at Summit Select, global distributor of Greenlife garden products and Summit storage products, and a keen home composter. He explains that there are three composting methods: anaerobic, aerobic and vermicomposting. How you approach your compost journey depends on the effort you’ re willing to put in.
Anaerobic composting is the simplest method; add your organic kitchen waste to a composting bin and let microorganisms do the work.“ This method takes the longest for your scraps to break down and can be a bit smelly. However, it requires the least time and effort,” he explains.
“ Aerobic composting uses oxygen to help break down organic scraps and grass clippings,” Will says.“ This method is a great way to get quality compost but requires regular attention and some physical effort.” Expect to manually move compost with a stick or spiral aerator, or invest in a tumbling composter for an easier option.
Vermicomposting is the most involved method, as it requires worms, air and moisture. There are also limits on the scraps that can be used.“[ Worms ] prefer nonacidic food scraps and grains like pasta and rice,” Will says.“ Although this method is the most complex, the compost and worm castings are excellent for your garden, and you can get your kids involved.”
What to compost
Before you get started, it’ s important to be aware of what materials you should avoid adding to your compost heap.“ You shouldn’ t compost glass, metal, plastic, charcoal,
COMMON COMPOSTING OPTIONS
STATIONARY These are bin-like structures generally used for anaerobic composting; just keep adding your waste to the top and take the finished compost from an opening at the bottom.
TUMBLING Tumbling composters are barrels that are rotated with a handle. They need to be turned often but make aerobic composting easy.
WORMS Worms for vermicomposting can be housed in specially made bins, or you can get a similar benefit with in-ground composters, which feature holes to allow access to worms.
12 | JAN / FEB 2023 COSTCO CONNECTION