International Compost Awareness Week (1 May - 7 May) passed me by without me realising, which is a shame. Composting is not something I do now or have done in the past but I would definitely like to learn more about it and start.
I recently stumbled upon an article where Tina Norman-Ross, Public Services Recycling Officer, was encouraging the islanders of Guernsey to compost more and explained how Guernsey's Public Services Department were taking part in a Compost Awareness Week run by the Waste and Resources Action Programme from 1 - 7 May.
The purpose of the week was to raise awareness of the benefits of home and business composting and the great results that can be achieved by using peat-free composts containing recycled material.
My initial reaction was how gutted I was to have missed this opportunity to encourage myself and other locals to start composting but then I thought, why should this stop me. Anytime is surely a good time to start composting.
I believe the percentage of households recycling in Guernsey is increasing all the time but I still hate the thought of burying the rest of our waste in a landfill. When I was younger I was oblivious to it and didn't think about where our rubbish bins were taken to. My parents recycled but I don't think they composted and I am not blaming them but I was therefore not brought up to think that way.
I now live in the Vale and am very acutely aware of recycling. I am a big fan and secretly enjoy my weekly visit to the Mont Cuet recycling site (minus the smell) to de-clutter my kitchen and know that I am helping the environment and our island. However I know I could do more and composting is certainly on my list so I have set myself the task of starting and hope to encourage others by writing this article.
Composting is simply piling up waste outdoors, waiting a year or more until it is decomposed, then recycling it as a fertiliser and soil amendment.
Businesses and homes can easily start this simple process by thinking about the everyday items they put in the bin.
Things you can compost include:
Egg shells (dried out)
Vacuum cleaner contents (from natural carpets only)
Raw vegetable peelings
Tea-bags
Nail clippings
Coffee
Fruits
Cardboard
Clean paper
Leaves / garden trimmings
There are various ways you can compost and Sustainable Guernsey recommend a worm composter on their website which is worth trying.
For more information go to:
Don't forget 'It's Cool to Compost'.
