CREATING COMPOST
Why did we create compost?
In Hampden Gurney, the Courageous Advocates started a project for composting our food waste, using a composter which we found on our roof. We started this project as a way to reduce food waste in our school and have an eco-friendlier system in place in school. As well as for our school, we did it for our community as compost allowed us to fertilise plants, which could go on to lower CO2 levels in the area.
How did we create compost?
After rediscovering our school’s composter, we began by drawing up an action plan for the project. We decided to appoint people to collect apple cores and other leftovers from each class, and made sure to inform teachers to put their fruit into cardboard boxes we left outside the room. We would use this to supply the compost machine. A group member supplied us with worms to assist in the process, and we placed soil into the machine as a base layer. During break, we had team members turn the compost machine to add air in order to allow the mixture to compost correctly- air which is too damp or dense slows down the composting process. If you'd like to find out step-by-step how to create your own compost, click the button at the bottom of the page for an instructional guide!
How did this create impact?
Having a supply of compost has multiple purposes- we create impact by saving potential general waste from a landfill, as well as creating the compost in the first place. This can be used as fertiliser, allowing us to grow plants to improve air quality around the school. Compost also has educational purposes; we can show other years how the process works, explore its more scientific side and explain how it benefits the environment. In summary, compost can have a huge impact in multiple areas, perfect for making a change in a community.
The Courageous Advocates’ job is to help the world to be a better place. That could be through
eco-friendly Lessons, sustainability Awards or using Ecosia. All of these can be found on our website where you found this article.
by Alexander, member of the Courageous Advocates