Environment

Composting & Worm Farming

Composting is nature's own recycling system. It breaks plant matter down into its original form and then returns that valuable nourishment to the soil.

Creating a compost bin and/or a worm farm is a great way to use organic (food waste) and garden waste and turn it in to free compost and fertiliser for your garden. Compost bins and worm farms may reduce the amount of waste your household disposes to landfill by up to 70%.

Composting and worm farming returns nutrients to the soil and improves plant growth by: A staff member demonstrates worm farming

bringing life back to your soil
helping to break up heavy clay soil
improving the soil capacity to hold water
adding essential minerals to the soil

The following items can go into your compost bin:

food scraps (except meat and fish)
coffee grounds and tea leaves
grass clippings, manures, weeds, flowers, tree pruning and herbs
torn up cardboard from your home

For more information on how to use worm farms or compost bins visit the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water or contact Council on 02 9840 9840.