Eco-friendly trial a success

A council trial project to promote composting was forced to double due to high demand.

Waverley Council increased the number of places in its home composting trial, from 300 to 600, to deal with high household demand. The council will now expand the program because it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Waverley Council food waste reduction officer spokesperson said: “The trial showed that most people gained a lot of confidence in composting and wanted to continue composting.”

She said that if the program were introduced in just 20 per cent of local government areas, there would be a 7 per cent decrease in emissions associated with waste management.

“Cost savings were projected to be in the hundreds of thousands,” she said.  “Part of the success of the trial was the social networking and community aspects that got people involved in sustainability beyond just composting.”

Waverley director of planning and environmental services, Peter Brennan, said in a report: “The Compost Revolution trial has been a success and shows significant potential for ongoing benefits for waste reduction, greenhouse gas reduction and cost savings.

“Over 97 per cent said they would continue to compost and most people were satisfied with the performance of the compost bins we chose.”

The Randwick Council Community Nursery provided compost bins, worms and instructions to participants in the trial, which also included a two-hour workshop run through the City East Community College.

Nick Renneberg, Randwick Council’s community nursery bushland officer, said there was a growing interest in composting: “Everybody is trying to be eco friendly.”

The council survey results showed the top three reasons people chose to participate were to reduce waste to landfill, improve the environment and to make compost.

The council plans to hold regular community forums and events such as composting clinics and organic gardening workshops.

Not all residents will be issued with bins as composting is not suitable for everybody but the council is still looking for sustainable ways to encourage residents to manage waste.

The trial started last year and was completed in August 2010.

Plans for continuation will be developed regionally depending on agreement from Randwick and Woollahra Councils with the aim of beginning in July 2011.

– By Hanna Banian