Composting benefits

Composting is nature's way of recycling organics and makes sense because it:

• Your garden and kitchen organics are a valuable resource that are wasted by landfilling, being burnt, or if they are washed down the sewer.
• Organic matter in the landfill is a main source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and leachate, a potentially harmful liquid that must be safely managed. The less garden and kitchen waste we send to landfill the less methane and leachate is produced.
• The less kitchen waste put down in-sink waste disposal units the less pressure is placed on the sewer system and the Christchurch Estuary.
• Burning garden waste pollutes the air.
• Adding compost to the soil improves the fertility and water holding ability of the soil, it encourages soil life (like worms) and promotes plant growth.
• Compost or mulch also reduces the amount of water used because the soil does not dry out as fast.

2. Saves money

• It is cheaper to compost separated greenwaste (either at home or at the refuse station) than to dispose of general household rubbish.
• Using compost means you don’t need to buy fertiliser to feed your plants.
• Reducing what we take to landfill will save the city money in the long term because it will make our landfill last longer.

3. Saves time

• Compost makes your plants grow faster, bigger, and stronger.
• Using compost as a mulch will reduce the need for weeding and watering your garden.
• Home composting is quick to do and potentially smelly organics are not kept in your rubbish bag waiting for your collection day.