Hot Topic Archives: DEC supports International Composting Awareness Week
DEC’s launch for International Composting Awareness Week (ICAW) on Monday 5 May promoted the benefits of compost and the ways it is made and used.
Minister for the Environment and Climate Change David Templeman joined media gardening personality Josh Byrne to launch the event at Forrest Place in Perth. The launch was followed by a public display including an expo of composts, demonstrations and giveaways.
Project Coordinator Helen Kelly composting awareness week was an international initiative to promote the benefits of compost.
"The first event was held in Canada in 1995, and the annual event has been held in Australia for two years.The theme of this year’s event was ‘The story of compost - how it is made and where it goes’."
Helen said hundreds of people visited the display during the day and enjoyed its hands-on activities.
"One hundred bags of compost were given away as well as 20 passes to the upcoming ABC Gardening Expo and vouchers for native WA plants," she said.
"The main message promoted was the benefits compost can have in our local environment where it can counteract the common problem of sandy, nutrient-low soil and reduce the need to water."
"Compost reduces the need for commercial fertilisers, or other harsh chemicals, which can leach into waterways and groundwater."
"Therefore, by using compost not only can people help reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill, they can also combat climate change by helping to reduce greenhouse gases."
Helen said DEC was leading the way in promoting the application of compost in WA. "The department is currently undertaking trials which support the use of compost in a variety of applications, including turf rehabilitation, roadside plantation strips and an upcoming wetland recreation project, as well as through marketing and promotional support," she said.
Adapted from the DECmatters article dated 20th May 2008
