Did you know that the average Wellington household disposes of 3.2kg of food per week? This adds up to 30,000 tonnes of food going to landfill per year - the same weight as 62 jumbo jets!
In a landfill, food is buried by other rubbish and crushed, which limits its exposure to sunlight, oxygen, and helpful microorganisms. In this environment, food rots rather than composts and as it breaks down it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
What is composting
Composting is the process in which organic, matter such as leaves and food scraps, breaks down into soil.
The benefits of composting include:
- reducing the volume of waste sent to landfill
- saving money on rubbish fees
- reducing methane gas emissions
- making a valuable product for our taiao (natural environment) which can improve soil health and help plants grow.
Choosing the right composting system
There are lots of different composting systems available. The best one for your household, community group or business will depend on the amount of food scraps you create and available space.
Use the flowchart below to help choose the right system for you.