Composting Awareness Week

The 3rd – 9th May 2009 is International Composting Awareness Week.

The aim of the week is to focus attention of governments, businesses, the community and the agricultural sector on the role that composting can play in sustaining our environment.

Composting makes a difference by:

• keeping methane-producing materials out of landfills
• helping to make crops, parks and gardens more drought resistant
• putting carbon back into soils, for long term storage
• recycling nutrients for sustainable food production.

In 2007/2008, composting averted the equivalent of 1,000,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

You can take part in a variety of informative and fun events marking Composting Awareness Week. To find out more, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and International Composting Awareness Week websites.

You can also find out what's happening in your neighbourhood during International Composting Awareness Week by contacting your local council or visiting your council's website. Many Councils will be hosting worm farm and composting workshops during this week.