Arghhh there is so much to learn…so much to know. Where to start? Sticking with my ground rules KISS (Keeping it simple, silly!) I have chosen one product to begin with. COMPOSTING!!! So it has been exactly 1 week since joining forces with my husband

Arghhh there is so much to learn&#x2026;so much to know. Where to start? Sticking with my ground rules KISS (Keeping it simple, silly!) I have chosen one product to begin with. COMPOSTING!!! So it has been exactly 1 week since joining forces with my husband and I actually cannot believe the encounters I have had since this new awareness about composting has entered my soul.It is like when you are pregnant, and you just see pregnant women everywhere. I even heard the words from the Australian anthem being sung at my children&#x2019;s school assembly &#x201C;with golden soil&#x201D; and instantly thought that Australia&#x2019;s soil could very well be golden if we all partook in a bit of composting!! And bizarrely cannot believe that I have met several random people this week that are very passionate about composting and creating zero waste. Who knew this world existed? Media continue to assert that our planet is under threat and that we have the power to shift this reality. The problem is however that many of us are just not educated to know what to do. I certainly have no idea how I can make a difference.So with all these strange synchronicities and serendipitous meetings coupled with a newfound drive to &#x201C;save the world&#x201D; I have been flooded with many ideas. Yay, very exciting!!Did I mention I know nothing about composting? I don&#x2019;t compost myself and don&#x2019;t know how to do it. I don&#x2019;t know what it does nor the reasons or the benefits of it. Crucial really, if I am to assist my husband in his businessI decided to set up a home compost system at home and report my experience with real transparency. Truth being that if I can do it &#x2013; anyone can.Meanwhile, I also want to learn more about why we should all be doing this. How waste can turn into something beautiful&#x2026; treasure. I want to find ways to make it &#x201C;clean&#x201D; and fun and ultimately gratifying as I learn to close the food cycle gap. Here I go&#x2026;How did you initially discover the world of composting? Any other ideas of how I can embrace this world even further? Join me on this journey and stumble along with me to see what evolves.

Composting: have you thought about doing it?

I decided to do some research. I wanted to have some facts to substantiate the need for composting in my home, in Australia and in the world. See below what I discovered:. How bout them apples:. I am shocked and completely freaked out by these statis

I decided to do some research. I wanted to have some facts to substantiate the need for composting in my home, in Australia and in the world. See below what I discovered:How bout them apples:<ol><li style="font-size: 16px;">Australia is one of the highest waste producers in the world, recently ranked in the top five waste producing nations, on a per-person basis.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">The average household waste bin sends more than 5kg of food waste to landfill each&#xA0;week.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Roughly one third of all the food produced in the world for human consumption every year gets lost or wasted and this is on the increase.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">97% of food waste ends up in landfill.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">At&#xA0;landfill food waste is compacted down and covered. This process&#xA0;releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Landfills&#xA0;also produce a toxic liquid, called leachate. Leachate is a mixture of organic acids, dissolved chemicals and rainwater. It can contaminate surrounding land and waterways.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">As the level of these landfill gases rises, so does the temperature of the Earth. The rise in Earth&#x2019;s average temperature contributed to by human activity is known as&#xA0;global warming.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Greenhouse gas emissions are continually on the rise.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">It is estimated that&#xA0;every kilo of food thrown away results in 3.8 kilos of greenhouse gas&#xA0;emissions.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Many countries have been incorporating alternative forms of waste management strategies such as composting; however we have not yet embraced composting in Australia.</li></ol>I am shocked and&#xA0;completely&#xA0;freaked out by these statistics. BUT I am also feeling reenergised&#x2026;even one person can make a difference by reducing their waste, by reducing their own ecological and greenhouse gas footprint. Phew, I am finally on the right path by starting composting at home.New questions have now been posed like what else can I be doing? How can I incorporate these things simply into my life, and&#xA0;how can I&#xA0;empower&#xA0;others to go on this journey with me?

Not talking rubbish – 9 facts to make you consider composting

Really? Do we have to? It’s rubbish…it’s smelly, dirty and yuck. And whilst I am not a germaphobe, I seriously have enough to be concerned and guilty about (I am a mum, and it goes with the territory!!) Do I really need to be adding something extra t

Really? Do we have to?&#xA0;It&#x2019;s&#xA0;rubbish&#x2026;it&#x2019;s smelly, dirty and yuck. And whilst I am not a&#xA0;germaphobe, I seriously have enough to be concerned and guilty about (I am a mum, and&#xA0;it goes with the territory!!) Do I really need to be adding something extra to my already overwhelming&#xA0;to-do&#xA0;list?So what is so good about composting anyway?After a lot of reading and a lot of&#xA0;research,&#xA0;and I have compiled the results into 4 categories of persuasion. Please read these compelling arguments:<h3 id="1-we-should-compost-to-help-our-gardens-thrive-organically">1. We should compost to help our gardens thrive organically:</h3><ul><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting slowly and progressively&#xA0;feeds microorganisms into the soil and improves its quality.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Compost-fed soil is&#xA0;moister and improves its ability to retain water, so there&#x2019;s less need to water as frequently.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Plants that you grow in compost-fed soil are&#xA0;more resistant to pests and diseases.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting&#xA0;increases the nutrients in the food that you grow.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting&#xA0;increases the yield of the produce that you grow.</li></ul><h3 id="2-we-should-compost-for-financial-gain">2. We should compost for financial gain:</h3><ul><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting&#xA0;eliminates the need to outlay&#xA0;the expense for fertilisers, soil improvers, and potting mixes that are negatively environmentally impactful.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Using compost will help you&#xA0;reduce water use in the garden.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Long term composting can&#xA0;save on rubbish service with smaller bins and rates for council.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting quite literally turns a&#xA0;liability into an asset.</li></ul><h3 id="3-we-should-compost-for-environmental-gain">3. We should compost for environmental gain:</h3><ul><li style="font-size: 16px;">As most of our waste is compostable we can all&#xA0;reduce the need for landfills. (<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/not-talking-rubbish-9-facts-to-make-you-consider-composting/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">see article 3).</a></li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting&#xA0;cuts greenhouse gases produced by landfill sites&#xA0;<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/not-talking-rubbish-9-facts-to-make-you-consider-composting/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">(See article 3).</a></li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting&#xA0;cuts greenhouse gases produced by the collection and processing of our household waste.</li></ul><h3 id="4-we-should-compost-to-make-us-feel-good">4. We should compost to make us feel good:</h3><ul><li style="font-size: 16px;">Treating our planet with reverence and true respect increases personal happiness.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Teaching our children about&#xA0;&#x201C;nature&#x2019;s technology&#x201D; of turning our waste into food is an interactive and interesting way to learn about the earth.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting gives you&#xA0;integrity that you are doing your bit to save the world and walk the talk.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Composting is apparently&#xA0;fun!!! Unplug, go hands free and get into nature.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Simply&#xA0;knowing that you are making a positive difference. We live in a connected world, and we are all making a difference with the actions we choose to take. Either good or bad. Whatever we do really impacts what happens to others and the world.</li></ul>An extensive and very powerful list.Oh,&#xA0;no&#x2026;I cannot unlearn this. And I know what this means&#x2026;I need to embrace this world of composting.I am convinced! Are you? Why do you think this information isn&#x2019;t easily accessible or embraced in Australia? Do you compost? Do you want to but don&#x2019;t know how or are there other reasons that you don&#x2019;t do it?

4 Reasons We Should all Compost at Home

Here is my easy recipe for making the best-ever black gold compost:. Prep time: 1 min a day. Total time: 8-12 weeks. Servings: Continuous delightful nutrient dense compost. * Hard skin and pips will take longer to decompose. Add your greens and brown

Here is my easy recipe for making the best-ever black gold compost:Prep time: 1 min a dayTotal time: 8-12 weeksServings: Continuous delightful nutrient dense compost<h4 id="ingredients">Ingredients:</h4><h5 id="greens-nitrogen">Greens (Nitrogen):</h5><ul><li style="font-size: 16px;">eggshells</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Grass clippings</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Fruit (not citrus)</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Peels and cores*</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Vegetables and peels*</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Coffee grounds</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Tea bags and leaves (remove staples)</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Bread and Pasta</li></ul>* Hard&#xA0;skin and pips will take longer to decompose<h5 id="browns">Browns:</h5><ul><li style="font-size: 16px;">Paper towel</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Paper and Cardboard (without waxy surfaces)</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Ash</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Dry leaves</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Wood chips</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Straw</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Egg carton (without the labels)</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Toilet paper and Newspaper</li></ul><h4 id="directions">Directions:</h4>Add your greens and browns at&#xA0;a 30:70&#xA0;ratio. Chop/shred items. The&#xA0;browns will&#xA0;absorb the excess moisture out of the greens, so add more brown as you go if it is too wet looking. Empty your caddy into your compost tumbler and turn it every second day. Water as needed if too dry.For a more comprehensive list of items that can and can&#x2019;t go into your composter, check out <a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/what-can-you-compost/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">What Can You Compost</a> page.<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/best-ever-black-gold-compost.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here for a free printable card.</a>Once it has&#xA0;cooked,&#xA0;it turns into a dark, crumbly like soil and has a natural earthy aroma. This is your compost&#x2026;ready for spreading.

MY Best ever black gold compost

Before choosing the size of your composter, estimate how much organic waste you will be generating on a regular basis. If you have a medium or large lawn and intend to put the grass clippings in together with all your organic household waste, a large

<h3 id="isPasted">Step 1 &#x2013; Choose the Right Composter For You</h3>Before choosing the size of your composter, estimate how much organic waste you will be generating on a regular basis. If you have a medium or large lawn and intend to put the grass clippings in together with all your organic household waste, a large composter is probably for you. If you will just be disposing of your day-to-day kitchen waste, a smaller composter combined with an indoor Bokashi unit may better suit your needs.The next consideration in your choice of composter is whether to get a stand-alone model or one that rotates. Tumbling composters,&#xA0;<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/product/maze-compost-tumbler-245lt/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">like this compost tumbler</a>, &#xA0;while generally smaller in volume produce compost in a shorter amount of time. Stand-alone composters,&#xA0;<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/product/600lt-eco-king/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">like this compost bin</a>, on the other hand, while generally able to accommodate larger volumes of organic waste, can take up to twice as long to produce usable compost. They also require manual mixing on a semiregular basis.Once you have decided on the size and type of composter best suited to your needs, you will need to find a good location in your yard. Ideally, try to find a sunny spot that will allow for easy access. Direct sunlight increases the rate at which organic waste decomposes into compost. If possible your stand-alone composters should rest on bare soil to allow interactions with microorganisms and worms. <h3 id="isPasted">Step 2 &#x2013; Collect Your Kitchen Waste</h3>Most organic waste can be put into a compost bin (see exceptions below). We recommend using a kitchen caddy to collect your organic waste. This not only avoids unwanted mess and odours but reduces the number of trips you will need to make to the outdoor composter.We have a few different models of kitchen compost bins available, check out our&#xA0;<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/product-category/composting/kitchen-compost-bins/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">kitchen compost bins</a> section for options.It is common practice to use biodegradable compostable bags with indoor compost caddies, so kitchen waste can be disposed straight to your outdoor compost bin or mixed with garden soil. Our compostable bags are starch based and begin to decompose once added to the outdoor composter.It is usually better to avoid adding cooked food, meat, or fish directly into your outdoor composter. These items tend to fester and attract unwanted pests and vermin. For further instructions on what to compost, please see our &#x2018;<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/what-can-you-compost/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">What Can You Compost</a>&#x2018; guide.Using a kitchen compost bin together with some Bokashi additives is a better option in this case.&#xA0;<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/product/bokashi-grains-5lt-bag/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">Bokashi grains</a> or&#xA0;<a href="https://mazeproducts.com.au/product/500ml-liquid-bokashi/" style=" text-decoration: underline;">liquid Bokashi</a> can be added to the indoor compost bin to speed up the composting process. Bokashi products are designed to accelerate the fermentation of organic matter.Once the kitchen composter is full, the contents can be directly added to the outdoor composter or dug directly into the soil. The Bokashi microbes will continue to do their work even after this is done.<iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zo8RCaWzoLM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen class="fr-draggable"></iframe> <h3 id="isPasted">Step 3 &#x2013; Fill Up Your Composter</h3>Once your kitchen caddy or indoor composter is full, you will need to transfer the contents to your outdoor composter. When adding organic waste to your composter, it is important to try and get a good mixture of &#x201C;brown&#x201D; and &#x201C;green&#x201D; waste. Examples of &#x201C;green&#x201D; waste include food scraps, vegetable cuttings, freshly cut grass. Examples of &#x201C;brown&#x201D; waste include dried leaves, dead grass, newspaper cuttings, egg cartons. The aim is to get a mixture whose consistency is neither too wet nor too dry.Don&#x2019;t forget to mix the contents of the composter periodically. For stand-alone composters, this will involve manually mixing the contents with a pitchfork or compost aerator. For tumblers, you will just need to give the unit a turn every few days. <h3 id="isPasted">Step 4 &#x2013; Let Your Compost Mature</h3>The time it takes for compost to mature varies widely. Factors such as volume of waste, composition of waste, moisture content of waste, frequency of aeration, and external temperature/weather (just to name a few) all contribute to your composter&#x2019;s overall curing time. There are, however, several things you can do to help move the maturation process along.<ol><li style="font-size: 16px;">Place the composter in a position in which it is likely to receive the most sunshine. The extra thermal energy will increase the rate at which the chemical reactions that break down your organic waste take place.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Aerate your compost on a regular basis. Your outdoor composter relies on microbes and bacteria to break down your organic waste. These organisms require oxygen to carry out their jobs. The more you aerate your compost, the happier your microbes will be.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Keep the moisture in the compost pile &#x2018;just right&#x2019; &#x2013; Your compost should not be too dry or too wet. If your compost is too dry, just add a little water. If it is too wet, add some &#x201C;brown&#x201D; waste such as dead leaves, dead grass, newspaper etc.</li><li style="font-size: 16px;">Try and add material to the compost bin that is in small pieces. If you can reduce the size of the material you put in your composter (e.g. chopping up loose kitchen scraps, shredding garden waste), you will increase the area exposed to the microbes and thereby decrease the time required to break the matter down.</li></ol><h3 id="isPasted">Step 5 &#x2013; Use Your Compost</h3>Once your compost has turned into a dark crumbly material with a natural earthy smell, it is ready to use.The method of collection will differ depending on the type of composter you have. For stand-alone composters, you will typically retrieve the compost through a hatch/s at the bottom of the unit. For tumbling composters, you can empty the compost directly onto the ground or into a bucket.In either case, the compost you retrieve can easily be mixed together into the soil. The same applies to pot plants and vertical gardens. A light watering to help the compost set, and you are done.

Articles

Composting: have you thought about doing it?

Not talking rubbish – 9 facts to make you consider composting

4 Reasons We Should all Compost at Home

MY Best ever black gold compost

Five Steps to Composting Success