Join ShareWaste or find a compost hub

Community composting hubs assist people who are unable to compost their food waste at home.

What is ShareWaste?

ShareWaste is a project that allows neighbours to share their compost bins with others in the local community. ShareWaste brings together hosts (who receive organic waste) with donors (who donate their organic waste) to process kitchen scraps into new soil. This allows community members to either dispose of their food waste in a sustainable way or receive additional supplies to feed backyard chickens and grow their compost for garden use.

How do I take part in ShareWaste?

ShareWaste is free to join. You can sign up on their website and use the map to locate your nearest compost site. You can also register your compost bin, worm farm or backyard chickens if you are happy to accept additional food waste scraps from your neighbours.

Local cafes may also be able to participate in ShareWaste if local farms or community members have the capacity to receive larger volumes of food waste.

How does composting work?

The hubs are made up of either worm farms or compost bins or bays. These composting systems rely on worms and other microorganisms to break down the food waste and convert it into compost or castings and worm juice. Not all food waste can be added to a compost bin or worm farm. Go to composting bins and worm farms to find out what can and cannot be placed in a compost bin.

What is a compost hub?

Community composting hubs are another way to assist people who are unable to compost their food waste at home. Hubs are established by community gardens, in partnership with council, where the composted material is used to grow food. Merri-bek residents can register to use a community composting hub where they can take their food waste for composting.

How can I use a compost hub?

Residents interested in using a compost hub need to register with the hub. Community gardens are responsible for managing the hub and are reliant on volunteers to undertake maintenance.

Please note that not all community gardens have publicly available composting hubs. Community gardens have limited space and capacity and can therefore only manage small volumes of food waste. For this reason, registration numbers are capped.

Where are current compost hubs in Merri-bek?

The Pentridge Community Garden manages a compost hub however registrations are currently closed. Please check back for updates.

Council is open to new opportunities to partner with community gardens, however council cannot control when and where new hubs will be established. Please get in touch with council for more information.