Whakatāne District Council’s incredibly popular subsidised home composting scheme is back for a limited time.
The scheme was first introduced in 2019 and repeated in 2022, with huge community demand for the subsidised home composting units.
This year people can choose one of three home composting solutions, including large compost bins, Bokashi bench-top units and worm farms (worms not included), for only $15.
Manager Solid Waste, Nigel Clarke, says the Council is focusing on ways to reduce foodwaste, and home composting is an easy at-home solution.
“The average household throws away 86 kilograms of edible food every year,” says Mr Clarke.
“This food often ends up in our landfills, along with the rest of our rubbish, where it decomposes and releases methane. Methane is a harmful greenhouse gas and contributes towards climate change."
“Home composting is an easy way to prevent food from entering the landfill. You also end up with an awesome product to feed your garden. If you have a vegetable garden, it's another way you can become more sustainable and environmentally-friendly.”
There are limited numbers of each composting unit, so Whakatāne District residents are encouraged to get in quick if they’re interested in buying one.
The composting units are available for purchase from the Whakatāne Resource Recovery Centre on Te Tahi Street between 9.30am and 3.30pm from Saturday 28 to Monday 30 September, and the Murupara Service Centre from Monday 30 September onwards.
The Whakatāne Resource Recovery Centre can only accept EFTPOS payments, there will be no cash sales.