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The ACT was the first Australian jurisdiction to require public event organisers, vendors, and caterers to use reusable, recyclable, or compostable alternatives. But for many vendors and waste advocates, it is window dressing, with nearly all of it ending up in landfill because there is no facility to compost it. The ACT government says waterproof and non-stick coatings on many seemingly compostable products should not be composted, which adds to the complexity. There is something very wholesome happening at ACT events when you are eating your food truck treats from a compostable plate, with compostable cutlery and sipping from a compostable cup. The ACT mandates reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging at all public events, but nearly all of it ends up in landfill because there is no facility to compost it. Debbie Clifford pours hundreds of coffees every Saturday morning at the Capital Region Farmers Market, and is demoralised by the lack of action. We re being sold a lie, Ms Clifford said. It says compostable, but it s going straight to landfill.

I toured the Thika Semi-aerobic Sanitary Landfill, that is under-construction at the Kang'oki dumpsite in Thika. Kiambu County Government is ...

JAKARTA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has been preparing an incentive and disincentive scheme for regional governments as part of a national waste management policy aimed at preventing marine pollution, a senior official has said. "Regions that still have waste leaking into the sea will receive disincentives. Those who have successfully managed their waste properly will be given incentives and awards," the ministry's Director General of Marine Spatial Management Koswara said at a recent press conference. Indonesia is estimated to see around 20 million tons of waste entering the sea each year. Koswara said the issue could not be solved by relying solely on the state budget, but required cooperation between local governments, businesses, and communities. Koswara emphasized that the condition of the sea is highly influenced by land-based activities, noting that plastic waste polluting the ocean originates from human activity. "Waste does not appear in the sea by itself. We are the ones producing plastic waste, so we must manage it, reduce it, and ensure it does not end up in the ocean," he said. ■

Every day, the city of Rio de Janeiro, one of the largest metropolises in the Southern Hemisphere, generates 17,000 tonnes of waste, ranging from large industrial debris to candy wrappers bought innocently at newspaper stands. While this waste presents a serious and urgent environmental challenge, it also fuels an increasingly significant portion of the economy, with benefits extending beyond financial gains. - When we look at developed European countries, many are already recycling between 40% and 50%, with some reaching 60%. From an economic standpoint, both recyclable materials and organic waste hold tremendous value - stated Adalberto Maluf, National Secretary for Environment and Environmental Quality at the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), during the Methane Forum: Climate Emergency Brake, at the Rio Nature and Climate Week. Citing a 2025 report, Maluf mentioned that Brazil literally throws away R$27 billion annually, while municipalities spend significantly more - R$45 billion - managing all this waste, often overlooking the environmental impact or economic potential buried in landfills and dumps. - We spend R$45 billion to collect and dispose of waste in landfills, yet we manage to recycle less than a third of the potential. I believe it will be necessary to review contracts, create performance-based remuneration mechanisms, and pay for both effectively sorted materials and those diverted from landfills - he added. According to the IBGE, 60.5% of Brazilian municipalities adopt some form of selective waste collection, and several initiatives serve as examples of how to manage city waste. In his panel presentation, Bernardo Ornelas, Project Coordinator at the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Urban Cleaning Company (Comlurb), highlighted Ecoparque do Caju, a national benchmark in waste management and recycling. There, received materials are sorted and can be used for biogas production, organic compounds for urban gardens, or human consumption, in the case of still...

Ana Catalina Suarez Pena, senior director of strategy and innovation at the Global FoodBanking Network, warned on Monday that organic waste generated by food loss is driving greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating global warming, noting that food systems have been included in every COP agenda since COP28. Speaking to Anadolu at the Zero Waste Forum, Suarez highlighted what she called a stark global paradox. At the same time, 2.5 billion people are facing food insecurity across the globe. There is a paradox — on one hand we are losing and wasting food, on the other, people are facing hunger and food insecurity, she said, noting that food banks serve to interconnect these two urgent conversations. Suarez noted that around 20 percent of global methane emissions come from organic waste, with approximately 77 percent of that organic waste comprising food waste. She stressed that when a food bank prevents one ton of food from being wasted, it also prevents 2.6 tons of CO2 emissions from being generated. She added that reducing organic waste is the fastest way to meet climate commitments while making food available for people in need. The senior director said ways to prevent food waste will be addressed at COP31 under the zero waste package. The most important step we need to take is to prevent food loss and waste from the outset, because the best waste is the one you never generate. Our expectation from COP31 is that the waste agenda takes a very important place, she said, explaining that discussions with the COP31 presidency seek to establish incentives and a clear agenda for reduction. Michael Oko, vice president of communications and marketing at the Global FoodBanking Network, told Anadolu that preventing food waste also prevents the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. He noted that food waste accounts for around 8-10 percent of all emissions, making it a major share of the total, yet only about 4 percent of global climate finance is currently direc...

While its biggest backers concede the idea takes time to get your head around — it is remarkably simple. Here’s how it works.

Key Points. Banana peels are rich in potassium and make great compost, mulch, or fertilizer. Prep peels by drying, steeping, or composting ...

Summer is here and many gardeners are likely looking for ways to keep their plants healthy. Warmer weather can be a challenge for gardens as it often leads to droughts and stress on roots. If your garden is struggling to cope in the heat, there is one ingredient that could help and as an added bonus, it can keep pests away too. Speaking on behalf of Coffee Friend, former royal gardener Jack Stook has shared one of his favourite kitchen staples that can be reused to protect your garden in the summer. Coffee grounds can be reused in multiple ways around your garden - and Jack said one of these is to deter pests. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy He said: “Coffee grounds can be sprinkled around the base of bird feeders. The idea is that the smell might deter squirrels. People say that this method can help.” However, use it lightly - if you sprinkle too much, it will just turn into a sludgy mess as soon as it rains. Coffee grounds are also great for compost. Jack added: “They [coffee grounds] are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that’s definitely something worth doing. You can also add them directly to garden beds. If you’re producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.” However it’s not one size fits all when it comes to adding coffee grounds to the garden. Because coffee is acidic, not all of your plants will appreciate it. "You don’t really want to go overboard using coffee grounds on plants that don’t like acidic conditions. Most garden soil can handle small amounts just fine, but if you're applying large quantities, definitely stick to acid-loving plants. Otherwise, you’re better off disposing of the grounds in the compost.”

Backyard chickens are having a moment in the gardening spotlight after a popular post showed how they can help turn organic scraps into rich compost. On Instagram, Welsh gardener and permaculture grower Huw Richards (@huwsgarden) detailed the role chickens can play in composting, writing, Did you know that chickens are expert compost makers? Richards video shows chickens scratching through dirt and weeds in a backyard area of his garden. Rather than a gardener turning the pile by hand, the hens are the ones moving through the organic material and helping mix it as they go. They can remove pests from the soil, pick out weed seeds, and work through organic material. Chickens can be more than egg layers; they can also become active members of a backyard garden system. Composting is one of the easiest ways to turn food scraps, leaves, and other yard waste into something useful, and chickens can help speed up the process by scratching, breaking up material, and mixing it. When done properly, that can mean less waste heading to landfills and healthier soil for future crops. Stronger soil often leads to healthier plants and better harvests. Growing your own food can also help cut grocery bills, especially when produce prices rise. Even better, many home gardeners have said that freshly picked fruits and vegetables taste better than store-bought options. On top of that, gardening can support both mental and physical health by getting people outdoors, encouraging movement, and providing a stress-relieving routine. The response on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with users expressing enthusiasm and appreciation for the concept.

Trapped compactor truck. Photos: Chijioke Iremeka Chijioke Iremeka is a Senior Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with 19 years of professional experience. He has reported across multiple media houses in Nigeria, covering beats such as health, features, real estate, and insurance, and has received numerous journalism awards for his work. Chijioke’s reporting demonstrates extensive newsroom expertise, editorial judgment, and a dedication to truth, integrity, and excellence in journalism. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now! Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.