Permaculture Principle: Produce no waste
The first week of May 2020 is International Compost Awareness Week. This week aims to increase the importance and use of compost as a valuable organic resource. There is a stack of great resources and more info here including how you can get involved.
However we believe *every* week is a great week to learn more about how to make and use compost! The National Food Waste Strategy 2017 found that households throw away 3.1 million tonnes of edible food in Australia – close to 17000 grounded 747 jumbo jets. In addition, household food waste costs us approximately $2000-$4000/year – yikes.
Reducing food waste AND composting your food scraps are two ways to reduce this waste, while building healthy soil and growing great food. Winning!
How to get started?
PA member Hannah from Good Life Permaculture has produced *loads* of fabulous how to compost resources to help you get started. We’ve reproduced a list of them (with her permission) here:
Cold Composting
A short video on three ways to get started with Food waste composting – worm farms, worm towers and (vermin proof) compost bins.
And a stack of great additional resources here:
- Worm farms – in many shapes and sizes.
- Which worm farm is best for you?
- How to build a worm farm seat or bench.
- How to rodent-proof your compost bin.
- A free home compost booklet to download for free
- How to make compost tea.
Hot composting
Check out this short video on how to get started with hot composting and a written blog on hot composting for the home scale too.
No room or time to compost? Don’t forget to check out apps such as ShareWaste to find locations near you that will accept food scraps to compost.
Compost and liquid fertilizer teas
Liquid fertilisers and compost teas can also be great options for building soil and reducing waste. Check out PA member Savour Soils Permaculture recent blog on home made fertilisers.
This short video from PA member John Champagne from Brogo Permaculture Gardens in NSW provides a great visual instruction on different organic fertilisers too.
Credits:
A huge thank you to Hannah from Good Life Permaculture who generously shared the above resources and links. You can find out more about Good Life Permaculture here.
Photo credits: ICAW website, Good Life Permaculture and Sharewaste.com