Calling all green thumbs: free community compost day returns this spring

This spring the City of Greater Geelong is teaming up with local community gardens to give away free samples of Better for Geelong compost – made locally from recycled green bin waste.

On Saturday 25 October from 9am to 12pm participating community gardens will offer free compost samples ahead of the launch of the new bagged product at selected local garden centres.

Residents can get their compost sample by visiting one of the participating community gardens on the day:

• Surfside Primary School Kitchen Garden John Dory Drive Ocean Grove
• Ocean Grove Community Garden 101 The Terrace Ocean Grove
• Lara Community Garden Scuti Court Lara (next to the Lara and District Men’s Shed)
• Barwon Heads Community Garden 38 Geelong Road Barwon Heads
• Grovedale Community Garden 45-47 Heyers Road Grovedale
• Springdale Community Garden 276 Jetty Road Curlewis
• Chilwell Community Garden 21 Mervyn Street Newtown
• Murnong Community Garden 138 Weddell Road North Geelong
• Breamlea Community Garden 157-183 Breamlea Road Connewarre

While loose compost has been available to buy by weight at selected garden supply stores this is the first time the City’s compost will be sold in a convenient bagged product.

Produced at the City’s Anakie Organics Processing Facility the nutrient-rich compost has been used in parks and gardens across Greater Geelong including the new Rippleside Inclusive Playspace Geelong Botanic Gardens and the Geelong West Community Garden.

Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor Ron Nelson

The bagged product makes it easier for the community to access the compost and try it out in their own gardens.

This has been a real success story of the circular economy in action. We’re proud of the City’s efforts to turn the community’s green bin contents into a quality product for locals to use.

Environment and Circular Economy portfolio chair Councillor Elise Wilkinson

Every time you use your green bin correctly you’re not only helping to create this compost but you’re also reducing landfill cutting emissions and supporting local jobs.

It’s a simple action with a big impact.

Approximately 35 000 tonnes of garden waste is collected from green kerbside bins in the Geelong region each year an average of 28 semi-trailers per week. Composting this material helps divert it from landfill.

Geelong’s garden waste is decontaminated by hand to ensure compost is free from chemicals pathogens and plastics maintaining the high-quality standard. Decontamination currently costs ratepayers around $950 000 per year.

Following the success of the City’s recycling bin inspection program which has seen recycling contamination fall by an estimated 200 tonnes per year the City has also begun inspecting green bins.

Residential green bins found with contaminants such as plastics and treated wood will be tagged with information on what goes in each bin. Continued contamination can result in bins being rejected for collection.

For more information on the City’s garden organics program and how to use your green bin correctly visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/gardenorganics