Free composting workshops

An educational programme on composting is trying to spread the word about keeping food waste out of landfill.

The Compost Collective is an Auckland Council-supported initiative that runs free workshops to educate Aucklanders about dealing sustainably with their waste.

One of three facilitators for Rodney and North Shore Rosie Hutchinson says composting is simply ‘‘common sense’’.

‘‘It’s a cycle of life - you can take your apple from your tree

‘‘Anyone can do it even if you're in an apartment block.’’ Sarah Jane Murray, project coordinator

and chuck it in your compost or worm farm, it makes compost, feeds the tree back, and it makes that circle. Whereas when you take the apple from the tree, chuck it in the bag, and it goes in the back of the truck to landfill, it’s a straight line and it finishes.’’

The collective runs over 60 free workshops a year, which explain three composting methods: cold composting, worm farms, and bokashi. They also offer workshops to community groups. Participants receive a discount voucher on the compost system of their choice.

Compost Collective project coordinator Sarah Jane Murray says composting can be done by anyone, no matter what resources they have: ‘‘Anyone can do it - even if you’re in an apartment block.’’

See compostcollective.org.nz for more.