Latest news with #compost
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Guernsey islanders asked what makes their gardens grow
Gardeners are being asked if they would switch to locally produced compost in a bid to cut down on the need to import compost and artificial fertilisers to Waste has launched a survey to find out what products islanders use in their said the initiative was part of a review of the processing of local green waste, to improve efficiency and ensure a secure and reliable output for the materials being Button, Guernsey Waste's minimisation and sustainability officer, said: "Whether you're a keen gardener, a frequent user of the green waste site, or simply interested in supporting more sustainable practices, we would like to hear from you." Guernsey Waste said about 12,000 tonnes of household and commercial green waste is collected in the island each year. This is shredded at Mont Cuet and then composted for several months, so the material breaks down to produce a compost-like soil conditioner. This can currently be collected for free from Longue Button said: "We are looking to improve the current operations, to ensure they work as efficiently as possible and deliver the maximum benefit to the island. "The feedback from the survey will provide useful information to gauge what products islanders are currently using and the reasons behind their choices."As well as households, commercial gardening firms are also invited to complete the survey and feedback is also being sought from farmers.A new drop off site for household garden waste opened at Mont Cuet last year.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
City closes compost giveaway early due to high demand
While Edmontonians eagerly plant their gardens this spring, the city announced it will be closing its annual compost giveaway early due to high demand. Since the giveaway started on April 22, more than 11,000 Edmonton residents have collected over 1,900 tonnes of free compost. Free compost will still be available at the Ambleside and Kennedale eco stations until May 31 while supplies last. The city said that if more compost becomes available, it may reopen the giveaway program later this year. Bulk horticultural and agricultural compost is still available for sale. The city said funds from the commercial sale of compost help maintain a steady waste utility rate and allow the city to offer excess compost to residents through the annual giveaway. The city launched its green bin program in 2021.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Food waste collections coming to Brighton and Hove
Brighton & Hove City Council has approved food waste collections in the city. The new scheme, funded by the government and £1.2m from the local authority's budget, is set to be rolled out in stages from September. BHCC said the scheme would help boost recycling rates – which are "historically low" in the city - by getting food waste out of general refuse. Some residents raised concerns that food waste collections could lead to additional smells and traffic. Councillor Tim Rowkins, cabinet member for net zero and environmental services, said at a council meeting on Thursday the waste would be stored in sealed containers and removed in 24 hours. He added it would mean less smell and fewer a third of household rubbish in Brighton and Hove is food and drink waste, approximately 2.8kg per household each week, according to the said the food waste would be turned into compost for use in and around the city. Food waste collections are set to be extended to all households by March 2026. Kerbside collections will be made weekly, while communal food waste would be collected every day under the proposals.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Ex-royal gardener reveals the everyday kitchen staple to help give your flowers a boost in the garden this summer
A FORMER royal gardener has revealed the kitchen staple that can give your flowers a boost for summer. With temperatures set to remain high this weekend, it's the perfect time to get outside and get stuck in to your gardening tasks. 3 3 3 And although you may think that getting your garden in tip top shape will involve the use of pricey products, Jack Stooks, a former royal gardener, has revealed that a throwaway item has a multitude of uses in the garden. The gardener, who previously worked at the Highgrove Estate, revealed that leftover coffee grounds are great to use as compost. "They are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that's definitely something worth doing," he said, on behalf of Coffee Friend. "You can also add them directly to garden beds. "If you're producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.' Compost provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to give them a boost so they bloom bright in summer. However, Jack warned that since coffee is acidic it is not suitable for all types of plants. He explained that ericaceous plants - things like rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, so will tolerate the coffee grounds well. However, he added that for plants that don't like acidic soil, coffee grounds are best avoided. The gardening whizz also revealed that coffee grounds can be used as a hack to deter squirrels. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Simply place them around bird feeders and the strong smell of the grounds will keep the pests away. However, he added that the hack is messy as the grounds will turn to sludge once it rains. " Birds will walk through it, and that mess can then turn into a breeding ground for disease, which could spread among the bird population," he warned. Sharing an alternative tip, Jack advised using Slinky to keep squirrels at bay. 5 ways to save money in your garden Garden design experts at Lighting Legends have revealed the ways you can lower gardening costs. 1. Install a water butt Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months. 2. Use solar powered or LED lighting Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They're easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient. 3. Grow your own salad and vegetables Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow. 4. Upcycle waste and rubbish Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless. 5. Start composting Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers. 'You can simply thread it down the pole of your bird feeder, and when a squirrel tries to climb it, they simply can't, " he said. "It's a much cleaner and safer solution than spreading coffee grounds everywhere, just in case they get wet.' Jack previously revealed the one mistake gardeners should never make to their lawns, if they are keen to keep grass green and healthy. "When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible", he told Big Fat Links. "You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. "Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil."
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
PFAS-contaminated compost sold to public, WA environmental regulator confirms
Leonard Machen had been filling his home vegetable garden with compost from a council-owned organic waste facility for years when he heard rumours it might be contaminated. Based in Dardanup, about 180 kilometres south of Perth, Bunbury Harvey Regional Council (BHRC) has been turning kerbside food organics and garden organics (FOGO) waste from more than 40,000 South West households into compost for over a decade. It then sells it back to residents and donates it to schools and community gardens. The ABC can now confirm samples of the compost tested by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) in May and October last year contained a group of toxic "forever chemicals" called PFAS "above laboratory detection limits". Mr Machen said the scale of the health risk was unclear but he had started removing the compost from his garden to be safe. "You can't get any real answers from anyone," he said. The facility stopped selling the compost and ceased all FOGO processing in December. Local governments have started diverting it to landfill as they explore alternative solutions. PFAS is found in a range of household products, even ones that claim to be compostable, like coffee cups. Federal guidelines warn the chemicals can bioaccumulate in plants and animals with adverse impacts, and some varieties are recognised internationally as being toxic to humans and wildlife. DWER said the FOGO waste was likely contaminated by household waste and plastics mixed up in green bins before it reached the facility. The department said concentrations were generally low but any waste containing detectable levels of PFAS was unsuitable for recycling into compost. However, it declined to comment on whether people should remove the contaminated product from their gardens. BHRC chief executive Nick Edwards said while the council stopped selling the compost out of caution he did not think it was unsafe and would still happily use it on his own garden. He said preliminary results of independent testing commissioned by BHRC had not detected PFAS, though he would not share the name of the company conducting the testing. "It's important the focus is on the results rather than the company that's doing them," he said. Mr Edwards said he was committed to getting the facility back up and running but it would take a whole-of-community effort. The facility has struggled in recent years to manage increasing volumes of contaminated waste. Mr Edwards said the waste was largely processed manually, then put through an 8-millimetre sieve before being sold. Mr Machen, who has found several larger items like a plastic toy lion and roll of sticky tape in the compost, said decontamination measures were clearly falling short. Jill Cross, a member of the Dardanup Environmental Action Group, said she had struggled to get clear information from BHRC or DWER about the level of PFAS contamination and potential health risks. She said residents were worried that by the time it was better understood, it would be too late. "It will be in the dust which will blow onto agricultural land and into Dardanup town site," she said. "It will blow on people's roofs, into their water tanks." Ms Cross said the regulator had failed to take BHRC to task on its management of the facility. In 2016, BHRC successfully pushed back on several aspects of DWER's proposed composting standards, including the mandate that organic processing facilities be enclosed to prevent the spread of pollutants and minimise methane emissions. In 2023, DWER issued a prevention notice to BHRC for failing to store waste, including partially processed compost stockpiles, under its licence, which posed a significant risk of pollution. When asked if BHRC had complied with that notice, DWER said it was the subject of an "ongoing investigation". "Therefore, it is not appropriate to make comment on the compliance status of the notice," a spokesperson said. Mr Edwards told the ABC the facility met some but not all of the requirements by the deadline and was working closely with DWER on the remainder.
