Considerate Compost

Composting your food scraps at home is a great way to combat food waste and reduce methane emissions. Unfortunately, some of the food that we eat can cause problems for our furry and feathered friends.

Possums, birds, and wallabies are all partial to a nibble at the food scraps in your compost heap, and while a good composting system can break down almost any type of organic matter, the same cannot be said for the digestive systems of these animals. Dairy products, fruit, and bread can all be very harmful to wildlife, and can throw off the delicate nutritional balance of their diets.

The best way to avoid unintentionally harming wildlife or attracting unwanted pests like rats and mice, is to make sure food scraps are securely enclosed in your compost. For cold compost systems, this is a fairly simple process – often as easy as remembering to put the lid back on the compost bin. Extra security measures such as weighing down the bin lid with a brick can be used to deter clever critters like the currawong from finding a way in.

For hot composts, which are kept open to allow for more airflow, it gets a bit trickier. If possible, we recommend positioning your hot compost heap in a fenced-off, possum-proof section of your garden. Another option is to cover the top of your compost heap with a breathable lid. A pallet placed on top of may keep out large birds, wallabies and possums. Alternately, covering your compost with some hessian sacks, cardboard, or a tarp will keep critters out, at the expense of some airflow.

Aside from enclosing your compost, you can also discourage wildlife from grazing on your food scraps by consistently turning your compost, making sure that food scraps aren’t left exposed. This will also help your compost decompose more efficiently and help to make it a little bit less smelly!