Inspiring change one bucket at a time

A POINT Londsdale family of five are on a mission to reduce the amount of food waste heading to landfill, starting their own community composting initiative.

Frank Martin has set up a drop off station out the front of his house, where people can collect a bucket, fill it with their food waste and return it to be turned into compost.

Mr Martin said he was inspired to change the way his family disposes of food waste, minimising what they put in the bin and wanted to also help the community.

“In order to reduce the pollution going into the atmosphere, composting is the best practical way to stop the pollution going into the environment and doing it in a more contained environment.

“It’s more beneficial for you because we’re actually making the most nutrient dense compost available; you can’t buy it at the shops.

“Why not encourage people around the community rather than throw it in the bin, to take a bucket, put it in the bucket and we will turn it into the most nutrient dense compost available.”

For now, the compost will be used in the Martin’s family garden, which in turn helps the community with some locals often receiving home cooked meals using the fresh produce.

The buckets for the station were donated by the Bellarine Food Scraps and Compost Warriors who also do something similar with no incentive, showing people what can be done with food waste.

“Small organisations like that give other people hope and drive that we’re trying to do something because you don’t want to put things in the bin, you don’t want to take it to landfill if you can avoid it and there are options,” Mr Martin said.

“There are people out there that are trying, but there’s not enough. If we can make a small contribution, then it’s better than nothing.”

Once people start to use the food waste drop-off station, the goal is to weigh the amount of waste that comes back to give people an idea of how much they have saved from landfill.

All food waste excluding meat and dairy can be placed in the buckets, including onions and eggshells.

Buckets and food waste can be dropped off at 189 Fellows Road, Point Lonsdale.