COMPOSTING AND MULCHING
Composting
Composting is an easy way to recycle some of the waste generated at home resulting in good compost for flowerbeds and veggie patches.
Council has compost bins and worm farms for sale at heavily subsidised rates. Drop in to any Shire waste transfer station to look at the products and make your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a compost bin, Bokashi bin and a worm farm?
They are all used to make compost out of your household organic waste.
Compost bins are easy to set up and use. They rely on the micro-organisms in the soil to degrade organic matter. They are less sensitive to temperature and humidity however they take longer to make compost.
Worm farms demand more attention. They only rely on worms to degrade matter and temperature and humidity need to be consistent. However the compost is better quality and faster to obtain.
A Bokashi bin reduces the need for an outside compost pile and is easier to maintain than a worm farm. The airtight lid ensures an ideal environment for anaerobic fermentation to take place, while controlling odours and deterring flies. The liquid can be easily drained through the tap and used as a nutrient-rich fertiliser for the garden.
Where do I get the worms for a worm farm?
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The worm farms don’t come with worms however you can get the worms from different sources:
- From someone who has a worm farm. Just grab a handful to start your own worm farm.
- In your garden. You may not have the most productive worms in your garden (i.e. the worms that compost quickly) but you will be sure that they are suitable for your local temperature and humidity condition.
- From a garden / outdoor shop or nursery. Ask your retailer if they have some worms or could order some in for you. Worms purchased online are an easy and cheap option and they travel pretty well by post. A list of online retailers is provided with the worm farm.
Mulch
Green waste received at Shires waste facilities is shredded using a tub grinder and transformed into mulch, which plays a crucial role in gardening, landscaping, and agriculture, effectively recycling green waste. Mulch serves multiple purposes including moisture retention, weed suppression, soil temperature regulation, erosion control, and nutrient enhancement.
The quality of the green waste directly impacts the quality of the mulch produced, so it is imperative to keep the green waste separate from any other waste that may contaminate your soil and garden (painted or treated timber, timber containing nails, rubbish, plastics, textiles etc). Contaminants in green waste are more concentrated in mulch which can leach into your soil and water, potentially affecting the crops you eat. Any foreign products such as glass and nails can lead to physical injuries.
Mulch is known to self-combust and requires careful maintenance by turning the stockpiles to reduce the heat generated within.
Mulch is sold back to the community for a variety of uses, closing the loop on green waste recycling.
How to get mulch?
Subject to the availability of machinery, the Council can deliver loads of mulch (12mᶾ) to all of our townships (Ayton, Rossville, Lakeland, Laura, Cooktown and Marton). Fees apply.
Alternatively, we can load mulch into your car/ trailer at the Cooktown Waste Transfer Station. To avoid disappointment, please contact the waste facility to organise in advance. No loading of mulch is available on Sundays. Loading fees apply.
Mulch is available for self-loading ONLY in Ayton Waste Transfer Station.
For enquiries regarding mulch, or to book a delivery contact Council’s Waste Management team via email or phone at 4082 0500.