Hot Topic Archives: DECreasing organic waste to landfill
Two DEC workplaces have begun to collect and recycle their organic waste as part of the DECrease project’s goal to improve waste management and recycling services.
DECrease Senior Project Coordinator James Milne said organic waste was extremely valuable, especially for improving nutrient-deficient soils and, when decomposing in landfill, the waste accounts for approximately three per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
DECrease committee member Administration Officer Anne Lillie has assisted in establishing a Donnelly District DECrease sub-committee, to implement sustainability initiatives in the district.
Sub-committee member and Assistant Ranger Sid Sepkus constructed a compost bin for the DEC Pemberton office by recycling an old tank that was no longer in use. Staff can now use the large compost bin to recycle all of their organic waste including food waste, grass clippings, sawdust and shredded paper.
Anne said the sub-committee recently invited the local shire to attend a group meeting, which proved fruitful with the Manjimup Council’s waste management officer Klaus Mueller attending.
“Klaus was great. He donated a worm farm complete with worms to our workplace on behalf of the shire, and we have had a lot of support for it from all our staff,” Anne said.
Left to right: Sid Sepkus, Klaus Mueller, Katy Vivian and Anne Lillie with the worm farm.
At DEC’s Booragoon office, DECrease committee member Manager Air Quality Management Plan Rob Hughes has been actively installing organic waste bins.
Rob identified an opportunity to take part in a worm farming project being run by fellow building occupant Alcoa and has since arranged for the waste bins to placed in the Booragoon and Swan Region office to gather food for the worms.
“It’s really great that staff in these offices can now recycle just about all of their food scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds - which we seem to have a lot of, and even paper towels, rather than seeing these things just go to landfill,” Rob said.
Staff interested in setting up worm farms or compost bins at their workplace should contact DECrease Senior Project Coordinator James Milne on 6467 5454.
Rob Hughes from the Booragoon office collects kitchen scraps for the worm farm.
Published as a DECmatters article 4th May 2009
