Waste & Recycling

Home Composting

Composting is an environmentally conscious way to use garden and household waste.  It converts your organic kitchen and garden waste into a nutrient rich material that's great for your garden, and also minimises waste sent to landfill. 

There are a variety of compost bins available to purchase for your compost, some especially suited to smaller properties. Alternatively, if you have a large garden you can build your pile directly on the ground and make your own wooden frame to surround it.

"When we recycle an organic product, it immediately
becomes a natural
resource..."

 

compost_small.jpg

    MATERIALS REQUIRED
  • organic garden and household waste
  • newspaper and cardboard
  • shovel/fork
  • rake (for levelling base)
  • compost bin

LOCATION
Put your bin in a sunny flat place on soil so that worms can have access. It can also be convenient to place it close to the kitchen.

TIP
The most important thing to remember is to ensure that there is a balance between the materials added to the compost - not too much of one thing. The more variety the better the end product.

    WHERE TO BUY
  • City of Bunbury
  • Bunnings
    Store Details
     Address: Cnr Blair St & Merlyn St, Bunbury 6230
     Phone: (08) 9722 2500
     Fax: (08) 9722 2599
  • SCRAP
    Contact Details
     Address: C/o Holsworthy High School, Huon Cr.,  Holsworthy 2173
     Phone: 02 9825 1062
     Fax: 02 9825 6972
     Web:

    http://scrapltd.com.au/
     Email: support@scrapltd.com.au
  • Kmart
    Store Details
     Address: Park Centre Hamersley Drive, Bunbury, WA
     Phone: (08) 9792 5588
  • Aerobin
    Contact Details
     Phone: 1800 615 445 (free call in Australia)
     Web: www.aerobin.com.au
     Email: info@aerobin.com.au -  for general enquiries
MAKE COMPOST

To make your compost, use the organic materials found in your garden, such as grass clippings and leaves, and also any organic kitchen scraps.

To get the pile started, also add some soil to the mix - this will add organisms which will aid decomposition.

See adjacent for details on the best things to add to the compost.

WHAT TO COMPOST
    ADD:
  • kitchen scraps
  • fruit/vegetable peelings
  • tea/coffee grounds
  • egg shells and cartons
  • cardboard cereal boxes
  • twigs & leaves
  • grass clippings
  • dead flowers and plants
  • manure (not cat/dog)
  • soil
    DON'T ADD:
  • weeds with seeds
  • diseased plants
  • fats and oils
  • meats and fish
  • bones
MANAGE COMPOST

You must manage the compost moisture and air intake, both vital for effective decomposing. You should check your bin regularly to ensure the compost is not too wet and not too dry.

When the pile's internal temperature feels hot, start turning the compost regularly with a shovel or fork.

The compost is ready to use when it's black, crumbly and smells sweet.