Dig your way to a healthier life by enriching your garden with recycled organic compost and mulch!

These are quality gardening products that have been professionally produced from kerbside collected green organics (green waste)

The recycled mulch is a good moisture retention product and is placed on top of the soil.
Use recycled mulch to save water.

The recycled compost is a good soil conditioner to use and is dug into the soil.
Use recycled compost to add humus and nutrients to your soil.

For further information:

• Where to purchase compost and mulch products
• Why use recycled compost and mulch
• Tips for creating a healthy and sustainable garden
• How to apply compost and mulch
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Rebate Available

A great advantage for householders is if you spend $100 or more on any combination of water saving products such as mulch or other government approved products, you can receive a $30 rebate off your next water bill. All you need to do is fill out a rebate claim form, attach receipts and return it to your water authority.

See all details at http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/saving/home/rebates or phone 136 186.

Where does the recycled mulch and compost come from?

The Metropolitan Waste Management Group (MWMG) with the support of Sustainability Victoria is assisting Councils and retail garden suppliers across Melbourne to provide recycled compost and mulch back to the community at a competitive price.

Household green organics (garden waste) is collected by Councils and taken to a local processor where it is chipped, treated and turned into quality compost or mulch, produced to Australian Standards.

The Healthy & Sustainable Gardens Program (HSGP) seeks to promote the use of these recycled organics products.

Benefits in using recycled compost and mulch

Compost and Mulch can cut your garden water use by up to 30%, and is the most natural and environmentally friendly way to improve your soil and make your plants grow stronger and healthier with less water.

One of the biggest benefits of adding recycled compost to your soil is that it acts like a three in one product; a growing medium, a feeder and a water retention aid.

Using compost and/or mulch made from recycled green waste means you are also closing the loop on green organics recycling and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon content is able to be returned to the soil instead of going to landfill and escaping into the atmosphere as methane gas.

Did you know?

• Professional composters convert wasted organic resources into a range of composts and mulch products
• Customers can have confidence that Certified Compost products will have consistent quality and that they will get the right advice about how to use the right products for their needs
• Compost products boost soil and plant health, and help to 'bullet proof' soils and gardens against drought, disease and nutrient deficiencies
• A 5-10cm layer of composted mulch conserves soil moisture and can reduce the need for watering by 30-70%
• Composting garden and food organics from your household can reduce the waste you send to landfill by 30-50%
• For the average household, keeping garden and food organics out of landfill will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to about 6,600 black balloons or driving a medium sized car over 1,200 kilometres each year
• Compost provides food for your garden, improving soil health, depth and drainage, and helping plants to fight disease and need less watering and fertilisers

Other Resources

• You can reduce your environmental impact - and improve your garden - by keeping organics out of landfill with a few simple strategies. For more information go to Organics too good to waste
• If you cannot compost all of your garden organics at home, many Melbourne councils offer regular recycling collection and drop-off services that convert your green waste into quality composts and mulches. Find out what services your council provides.
• There are many options for residents to recycle their green and food waste at home such as composting or by using a worm farm.

Home Composting

Residents can also reduce green waste going to landfill by composting and worm farming at home.