Composting at home
About this good practice
In Mechelen, the average fraction of biowaste in the mixed residual waste was 60 % in 2021. By recycling the biowaste at the source, citizens can save money by reducing their mixed residual waste. The generated compost can be used in the garden as an organic soil improver, mulch or fertilizer. By reducing the volume of mixed residual waste that goes to incineration, CO2 emissions are reduced and by processing this waste stream at the source, transport and processing costs also decrease.
The city of Mechelen encourages citizens to compost at home by providing them with relevant information on how the compost and the ability to purchase compost bins and worm bins against economical prices (this was subsidized by the Public Waste Agency OVAM until May 2023). Worm bins are mainly intended for citizens that have no garden. People can find all the information on the website of the city, and they can reach out to compost masters, which are voluntary experts in the field, with specific questions. More detailed information on composting, manuals, brochures, and video material can be found on the website of Vlaco npo. Vlaco is a non-profit organisation that unites policy and companies that process biowaste across Flanders. Vlaco also organizes theoretical and practical workshops on closing organic cycles at home.
The other stakeholders are the Public Waste Agency (OVAM), the intermunicipal waste company (IVAREM), the city of Mechelen and its citizens.
Resources needed
To support this good practice in the city of Mechelen and the nine other municipalities that are managed by the intermunicipal waste company IVAREM, 21.380 euros was awarded annually by the Flemish government and 5.880 euros annually by the city of Mechelen (average numbers based on 2021-2022).
Evidence of success
1950 compost bins were purchased in the larger region of Mechelen in 2021-2022. This result does not take into account the number of households that constructed their own DIY compost bin. Since the practice is already running since the 90s with frequently recurring info sessions and courses organised by Vlaco npo, probably a large part of the population has been reached. In Mechelen specifically, 782 compost bins were sold in the period of 2021-2022.
Potential for learning or transfer
In regions with reasonable sized gardens this practice could be implemented reasonably easy. The greatest rate of success will be achieved if the practice is structurally embedded in the organisation, region or city with clear information made visible on websites and a central point of contact for questions and by organising info sessions or courses on a regular basis.
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
