Recycling program
Gungahlin Kinder Haven is committed to reducing waste, reusing materials and recycling resources. We strive to minimise wastage and actively participate in the ACTSmart recycling program. Centre vegetable and garden beds also benefit from any kitchen scraps and leftovers, having decomposed in our many room-based compost bins and worm farms. With more shared in partnership with our neighbours at the Gungahlin College and the many chickens and household pets of Centre families.Benefits
- We contribute to reducing community costs - sending waste to a recycling centre is 50% cheaper than tipping at the landfill.
- We assist in reducing the negative impacts on our environment.
- We are helping to meet our environmental commitments.
- Achieving accreditation recognises Gungahlin Kinder Haven as a community leader by our clients.
Why reduce food waste?
When food waste goes to the landfill it decomposes without oxygen, it produces the greenhouse gas methane. It is therefore much better to compost or start a worm farm. These use oxygen to break down the food waste, reducing methane production and avoids the need for chemical fertiliser (which if its gets into waterways can be harmful to fish and other species). Composting and worm farms increase the nutrients in your soil, help keep away plant diseases and improves soil structure.w
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| Composting DOs | Composting DON’Ts |
| All fruits and vegetables, prepared foods, bread, dairy, eggs, teabags and coffee, shredded paper, wilted flowers and used tissues | Never put any kind of meat into your compost! |
Worm Farm DOs | Worm Farm DON’Ts |
| Fruit and vegetables, bread, eggs, teabags and coffee, shredded paper | All types of meat and dairy! Citrus, capsicum, onion, leek, garlic, pasta and cereal, shiny paper |
More information
- ACTSmart food waste factsheet
- The Canberra Environment Centre run workshops on composting and food waste reduction and sell a range of composting systems at a reduced price.
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