Reducing our Carbon Footprint for a Sustainable future

Environmental sustainability and recovery is an issue everyone should be aware of and responsible for working towards.  A starting point is reducing our carbon footprint and paying close attention to the way we look at and deal with ‘waste’. In our quest for a more sustainable future, green waste stands out as a major opportunity.

Compost created from green waste and returned to the ground serves as a complete source of the much needed nutrients that help plants thrive, and creates biological diversity in the soil. Among these are macro and micro nutrients that are released bit-by-bit for months or even years allowing for maximum absorption. Chemical fertilisers either lack these nutrients or release them too quickly.

Soil that has been enriched by compost clusters together better to retain air, moisture, nutrients and fertilisers. This not only reduces erosion, it keeps more fertiliser out of waterways where they can do harm. At the same time, compost enriched soil particles do not bind together as closely and allow plant roots to spread more easily.

Aside from supporting plant life, compost is very friendly towards worms, insects, fungi and other lifeforms that help keep soil well aerated and healthy. It simultaneously discourages the growth of harmful organisms that can negatively impact soil health.

Using compost over a long period can have even greater effects on soil health. By encouraging soil to develop soil organic carbon, it can increase the water storing capacity of soil – meaning periods of reduced rainfall or irrigation are less detrimental.

These benefits aren’t just about the environment (although that is important enough), they also save money and time and can even increase crop yield.