We Compost Hub

Why compost?

About 35 per cent of the 'rubbish' New Plymouth District households put in their landfill bins is compostable. Ten per cent is from the garden and a whopping 25 per cent is from the kitchen!

And what a waste it is! When our food scraps and garden waste are mixed with other rubbish in the landfill, we lose all those valuable nutrients forever.

But the problem doesn’t end there.

Here are some of the top reasons why sending food scrap and garden waste to the landfill is a problem:

Methane emissions: Organic waste that is sent to landfills rots under anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions which creates methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas that drives climate change. Methane is 28 times more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2).
Soil contamination: Landfills can contaminate soil and groundwater with leachate, a liquid that forms when rainwater and other liquids come into contact with decomposing waste . It needs to be captured and treated on site.
Odour: Organic waste in landfills (and in your landfill bin) can produce unpleasant odours!

However, there is an easy answer: instead of sending your kitchen and garden waste to the landfill, simply compost it onsite!

Consequences of organic waste sent to landfill.

What is composting and why should we do it?

Composting is a natural process that involves the breakdown of organic materials such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable materials into a nutrient-rich soil fertiliser. Here’s why composting is so great:

Reduces landfill waste

Composting keeps organic waste out of landfills, where it would otherwise take up space and emit harmful greenhouse gases.

Improves soil quality

Compost is a natural fertiliser that provides nutrients to plants and helps to keep moisture in the soil.

Saves money

Composting removes the need to buy expensive chemical fertilisers and lowers waste disposal costs.

Conserves resources

Composting helps to save water by improving soil's ability to hold moisture.

You can use a worm farm, Bokashi bin or compost bin to turn your food scraps and/or garden waste into a valuable fertiliser for use in your garden or for your indoor pot plants.

For any food scraps that you cannot compost at home (citrus, bones, meat, shellfish, bread, cooked food etc.) place these in the NPDC food scraps bin for weekly collection.

Choosing the right system that suits you and learning how to use it properly is key.

Learn online More resources Learn in person: Let's Compost workshops Composting for schools Composting for your business Share your waste

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We Compost Hub

Why compost?

Here are some of the top reasons why sending food scrap and garden waste to the landfill is a problem: