Is your red bin overflowing with food waste? You can reduce the amount of food waste in your red bin by donating it to a local composter.
According to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), more than a third of the waste generated by NSW households sent to landfills is food. Every tonne of organic waste diverted from landfills saves 1.5 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted.
Lane Cove Compost Network
The Lane Cove Council has set up the Lane Cove Compost Network. The network is designed to connect people who want to recycle their food scraps with local hosts who graciously accept them for composting. By participating in the program, residents contribute to a healthier environment while building meaningful connections within their community.
How Does It Work?
Become a Host
You can sign up a host by filling out a Host survey here so Lane Cove Council can match food scrap donors with local compost hosts.
To become a host, you will need an established compost system, although the council can provide you with resources and training to get going. If you don’t have space for a compost system, you can become a donor and donate your food scraps to a local host.
Once you are accepted as a host, you can also invite your neighbours to join by dropping off a postcard.
Become a Compost Donor
Fill out the Donor survey here so the council can match food scrap donors with local compost hosts.
ShareWaste is a free initiative and web app that aims to connect people and support composting. The app is available in the Apple Store here or on Google Play here or accessed via your desktop here.
Prepare to Be Matched
Once you have completed the forms, you will be matched with a local host or donor. The host will tell the donor the type of organic waste they need – they may also be looking for food for chickens.
Map
Lane Cove Council will soon prepare an interactive map showing the locations of hosts in Lane Cove.
Sharewaste
Some Lane Cove locals are already participating in organic waste sharing via ShareWaste.
The idea is that ShareWaste helps people who have green scraps (i.e., organic waste) and would like to compost them (rather than just chuck them into the garbage) find a neighbour with a composting bin, worm farm, or chickens willing to accept their waste.
Who is behind ShareWaste?
The people behind ShareWaste are Eli and Tomas, a married couple from Newtown, Sydney. They are originally from Prague, EU, and like this planet. Both hemispheres. So they are trying to keep it a nice place to live on (it’s not like we have a spare one anyway).
How do I start?
Just sign up and follow the instructions. ShareWaste is simple. There’s a map everyone can see. If you would like to become a host, sign up and add your address. ShareWaste will put a marker on the map, and people from around Lane Cove can send you a message when they’re ready to bring their kitchen scraps. You can chat with them and arrange the details (when to come, what exactly you can accept etc).
What Organic Waste Can I Share?
There are some general recommendations, but it always depends on the person accepting your scraps and whether they have a composter, worm farm or hens. Please always check with your neighbours before bringing them the first bucket.
Most people will generally accept fruit and veggie scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, egg shells, dry leaves, tissue paper, peanut shells, wood ashes, and withered flowers. Most would also accept shredded newspaper or cardboard, shredded cardboard egg cartons, wood shavings, grass clippings, cotton pads and others.
People won’t usually accept meat, dairy, bread and pasta, as these attract vermin. Dog and cat droppings are also a no-no (they may contain parasites or diseases). Most compost owners won’t accept glossy paper as it takes a long time to break down and might contain heavy metals. Most worm farmers won’t accept citrus peels, onions and garlic (the worms don’t like those). So just speak to the person you will share your waste with and ask them what they want.
How Do I Find a Neighbour Who Wants My Organic Waste?
Go to the ShareWaste map and specify your address in the input box at the top. The map will show you all the nearby composts. Click on an icon with the nearest compost and message the owner. At this stage, only a few Lane Cove residents have registered. However, if more people know about ShareWaste, more people will register.
What do you think? Would you like to give your waste a second chance?
Contact Details
Website: www.sharewaste.com
Facebook: @sharewaste
Instagram: @sharewaste
Apple Store: @Sharewaste
Google Play: @sharewaste
