Jo Heeps at her Glenbrook home, where the composting magic happens.
Story and photos by Julie Nance
Jo Heeps has prevented more than 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being released from landfill each year, simply by composting coffee grounds and food scraps from her local Glenbrook café. That’s the equivalent of taking nearly five fossil-fuel-powered cars off the road for 12 months, or one and a half homes off the grid. Learn how you can also make a big impact.
Key Points:
- Up to 33 per cent of the material in our red-lidded garbage bins is food waste that can be composted. Hundreds of tonnes of this food waste ends up in our local landfill each week. (As a guide, an African elephant weighs 2 to 7 tonnes!)
- This waste takes up valuable space, generates CO2 and methane emissions and causes other environmental impacts that are expensive to manage.
- Community composting helps us use food scraps and other material the way nature intended, to return valuable nutrients to the soil. Compost improves drainage, increases water holding capacity, stabilises soil temperature and has a wide range of other benefits.
Jo Heeps is a familiar figure in Glenbrook village, wheeling her collection bin back and forth between Kickaboom cafe and her nearby home. She’s been making the journey twice a week since October 2022.
Although she grew up with keen composting parents and grandparents, Jo didn’t have the opportunity to try it herself until she moved to the Blue Mountains from Glenmore Park with husband Ronnie.
She discovered Blue Mountains City Council was running a program called the Compost Hub. Through this interactive online platform, you can become a ‘champion’, accepting extra food scraps for your compost. If you are eager to stop your scraps from entering landfill, but can’t compost yourself, you can become a ‘contributor’. You can deliver food scraps to a champion or in Jo’s case, someone like her will come to you.
Jo signed up to the initiative and was delighted to get an email from Kickaboom soon after. A wonderful partnership was born.
“I was new to the community and wanted to get involved somehow,” says Jo, a mother-of-two and a grandma of one. “It’s fabulous working with the team at Kickaboom. I always know from the scraps what’s on the menu.
Jo’s compost bins are enclosed in a wire mesh cage that came with the house.
Material suitable for home composting includes kitchen food scraps, tea bags, eggshells, citrus, newspaper, egg cartons, tissues, lawn clippings, garden prunings, dust, lint and hair.
Jo started her compost enterprise with one donated 220 litre Council compost bin, later receiving a second one to cope with the volume of Kickaboom scraps. Over time she added two extra bins of her own.
She averages about 120 litres of organic waste from the café each week, using a trolley to make moving the bin easier.
“After about five months, I put the compost bin contents over different sections of my garden,” she says. “I feel like it saves water as the garden holds the water better. The vegetables I’ve grown and the plants, have been really high quality.
“I used to go to Bunnings to buy fertiliser. Now I mostly use the compost and my worm farm wee.”
Jo’s beautiful front garden that is being nurtured by her compost.
A stunning back garden that Jo enjoys pottering around in with her 3-year-old grandson, who is learning how to compost.
Kickaboom Manager Kat Kroon says before partnering with Jo, the café paid for two red-lidded bins to be emptied twice a week.
“I didn’t feel comfortable about our food scraps just sitting in landfill, contributing to CO2 ,” she says.
“Through the partnership, we saved money with only one bin pick up a week. Just one small step can snowball. Having that community inclusion with Jo, and to know that we are doing better for our planet, gives us more meaning.”
Kickaboom Manager Kat Kroon with some of the café’s food scraps, once destined for landfill.
A friendly and productive partnership: Kat and Jo, with her trusty collection bin and trolley.
Kickaboom produces such large quantities of coffee grounds that Jo can’t take it all. To avoid the excess material ending up in landfill, they offer free bags of coffee grounds out the front of the café each day, which is quickly snapped up. Kickaboom also entered into a second partnership.
“One of our baristas has a cold brew company called My Mate Dave Coffee,” Kat explains. “We’ve partnered with them, giving them coffee grounds. They add essential oils and other ingredients and we are now selling a coffee scrub that you can use in the shower.”
Coffee scrub for sale.
Staff at Jo and Ronnie’s business in Penrith, Truck Hydraulic Solutions, are also enjoying doing their bit, contributing coffee grounds and a garbage bag of shredded paper to Jo’s compost each week.
Jo finds the process of watching her compost contents breaking down fascinating. A keen baker, she likens composting to cooking.
“It’s like baking a cake, as you use all your senses,” she says. “I’m looking at it. I’m smelling it, I’m feeling it. And it’s just knowing that the mix looks right, which takes a little bit of playing around.”
In addition to the compost nourishing her extensive garden, Jo also grows vegetables, some of which she donates back to the café.
Some of Jo’s fresh picks from her garden. (Photo: Jo Heeps)
Here are some of Jo’s top composting tips she’s gathered on her journey:
- Before throwing things out, think about what you can do with them – whether it’s recycling or composting.
- I bought second-hand books on composting which really helped. The best one was The Compost Coach by Kate Flood. (This is available in Blue Mountains libraries).
- Because it takes months for material to break down, the smaller your waste is before you put it into your compost bin, the quicker the process e.g. cutting it up or shredding it. Some people even blitz it in a blender.
- Use compost activators e.g. coffee grounds, which also helps speed things up. I use blood and bone occasionally.
- Keep turning your compost every two to three days. In the centre of the compost bin, I put a pipe with holes in it, to help aerate the material.
- Use compostable bags so you don’t have to keep cleaning out your kitchen scrap bin, which may deter you from continuing.
(Compostable bags only break down well in warm compost. If you don’t turn your compost regularly, it’s best to empty your bag into the compost and dispose of the bag or reuse it).
Author Kate Flood’s book has been a composting bible for Jo.
Jo recommends chopping up food waste before putting it into the kitchen scrap bin, to help the compost break down more quickly.
Jo puts a plastic pipe with holes in it, into her compost bin to help with aeration. The insects, worms and microbes all need air to live but as ingredients break down, it can all drop, pushing air out. Turning compost over brings air back into the system and the pipe approach helps too.
Erin Hall, Blue Mountains City Council Senior Project Officer, Circular Economy, says you only need to start small with composting. Even if you put your material into the compost bin and you don’t do another thing with it, you are making a positive contribution.
“Methane generated in landfill is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and it is Council’s biggest emitter in our LGA,” she says.
“So, when we’re talking about reducing climate change, one of the best things you can do is compost. As Jo has shown, small actions can yield big results.” – Erin Hall, BMCC Senior Project Officer, Circular Economy
Take Action:
- Sign up to be a compost champion or contributor or find out more.
- Find a compost champion or contributor near you by searching the Compost Hub map. There are many champions throughout the Blue Mountains waiting for contributors. They will be grateful to receive your food scraps.
- Jo has been nominated in Blue Mountains City Council’s ‘Binfluencer Awards’, recognising and celebrating members of the community working towards our goal of zero waste. There are three themes: Avoid, reuse and recycle. For more information go to https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/blue-mountains-binfluencer-awards
- Gain great quick tips in Your Compost Guide flyer.
- Order a subsidised compost bin (one per household).
- Book a free Blue Mountains City Council composting workshop or choose other topics related to managing waste that are of interest. A group of 10 people is required.
Share this article:
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
More from around the region
Did you know that this is a Screaming Tree Frog, and that there are at least 20 different known frogs in the Blue Mountains? Join our workshop on Saturday 5 April to view all of them at the Planetary Health Centre, and learn how to use the FrogID app to record and identify their calls. We’ll also be demonstrating how to build a pond or frog hotel to increase habitat for them. Reserve your spot in the workshop here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-frogs-of-the-blue-mountains-tickets-1281801285149
Photo: Alexander Dudley
@frogidaus
#frogs #bluemountainsfrogs #screamingtreefrog #planetaryhealth #skillshare #habitat #froghabitat #frogcalls #katoomba #bluemountains
We are starting Saturday morning T`ai-chi and Qigong at 8am on Saturday 5 April at the Planetary Health Centre.
Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3Rn9RzY
T`ai-chi and Qigong routines can increase mobility and strength, improve immunity and help build an inner calm - a great way to start the weekend!
The monthly practice at the Planetary Health Centre is suitable for people with a little or lots of experience. Join us on the 1st Saturday of the month at 8 am, to nourish your body, mind and spirit or 3 treasures (in Chinese, Jing, Chi and Shen, or San Bao)
Virginia Field is an experienced trainer of T`ai-chi/Qigong, with more than 30 years experience.
This activity is the first in a full day of Skillshare activities at the Centre:
8am T`ai-chi and Qigong
9am-3pm Fashion Upcycling
9am Frogs of the Blue Mountains and how to help them
10am-1pm How to Build a Survival Garden in the Blue Mountains
1.30-4.30pm Planetary Health Bushcare
Contact Lis on 0407 437 553 for more information.
#taichi #qigong #innercalm #mobility #personalhealth #planetaryhealth #katoomba #bluemountains #planetaryhealthcentre
Bookings are now open for our very popular Upcycled Fashion Program on Saturday 5 April. Learn how to use a machine, how to mend, sew, adjust and remodel clothes, and how to create your own patterns to use up all that fabric you`ve been collecting! If you`re interested in earning money, you can also be supported to become part of the Repair Network helping keep textiles out of landfill. Places are limited so get in early to book your place here (link in profile):
https://bit.ly/4c2Go85 #upcycling #upcycledfashion #skillsharesaturday #planetaryhealth #keepingtextilesoutoflandfill #skillshare #katoomba #bluemountains #sustainability #socialenterprise
We are looking for a Professional Conference & Events Organiser to join our team at the Planetary Health Centre! If you`re keen to make a difference and demonstrate how events can be run sustainably and help inspire change, we`d love you to work with us! Applications close 30 March. Scroll down to learn more here (link in profile): https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/jobs and ring Lis on 0407 437 553 if you`d like to discuss. Please share if you know anyone who might be interested! #jobs #hiring #conferenceorganiser #eventsorganiser #planetaryhealth #careers #inspiringchange #sustainableevents #applynow
Would you know what to prioritise if you needed to build a survival garden in the Blue Mountains? Do you know how families survived and stayed healthy during the Great Depression? What would you need to grow to provide all your nutritional needs on a plant based diet? How can you have fruit all year round in a cold climate? Have you grown salsify, skirret, yacon or American Ground Nut and would you know how to cook them? We’ll answer all these questions in our ‘How to Build a Survival Garden Workshop’ at the Planetary Health Centre from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 5 April. We’ll discuss how we can work together to make our local food system healthier and more resilient and we’ll have planting guides, recipes and some seeds, bulbs and tubers available to get you started. Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4kVAUA8
#growyourown #survivalgarden #salsify #skirret #yacon #oca #bluemountains #permaculture #planetaryhealth #seedsaving #foodsecurity #healthyfood #gardening #communityfarming
It`s only just over a week until the Blue Mountains Interfaith Gathering at the Planetary Health Centre on Sunday 30 March. We`ll be sharing spirituality and care for the environment in these challenging times with music, ideas and ceremony ... starting with a smoking ceremony at 1.45pm. The event is free but please book here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3Fw8RqB
#planetaryhealth #bluemountains #interfaith #katoomba #interfaithgathering #smokingceremony #ceremony
The stories we share determine the direction of our culture. That`s why the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative has established news in every neighbourhood to share the inspiring ways both council and community are taking action for a healthier planet. Check out this interview with Belinda Coates in the Katoomba Area Local News story: "Towards Zero Waste Hero" (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4hLnNOW
#towardszerowaste #bluemountains #katoombalocalnews #planetaryhealth #hyperlocalnews #solutionsmedia #saynotoplastic
Amidst dramatic global turmoil the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre is creating a peaceful place for contemplation and connection as we collaborate with the Blue Mountains Interfaith Group to host an Interfaith Gathering at 1.45pm on Sunday 30 March. It’s an opportunity to gather in these challenging times to share spirituality and care for the environment with music, ideas and ceremony, starting with a smoking ceremony by Dharug man Chris Tobin at 1.45pm. The event is free but please book in here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3Fw8RqB
#interfaith #interfaithgathering #bluemountains #katoomba #spirituality #peace #contemplation #connection #smokingceremony #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthcentre
Our Newsletter is now out! Read about our recent Planetary Health Day and our upcoming Interfaith Gathering; our Bushfire Sprinkler Research; our upcoming workshops on Frogs of the Blue Mountains, Upcycling and How to Build a Survival Garden in the Blue Mountains; and a new position at the Planetary Health Centre for an experienced Conference and Events Organiser. We`ve also written two new stories: one on a Zero Waste Hero and one on a rare native bee that`s been re-discovered on Faulconbridge Ridge.
You can read all of the above here (link in profile) :https://bit.ly/3FsyzfI
#planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthcareers #skillshare #planetaryhealthday #upcycling #frogsofthebluemountains #interfaith #interfaithgathering #survivalgardens #conferenceorganiser #eventsorganiser
Our Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition is on in the Planetary Health Centre Studio and our frog ponds are teeming with tadpoles and almost frogs! Come and check them out! We`ll be having a Frogs of the Blue Mountains workshop on Saturday 5 April (link in profile) #frogs #tadpoles #planetaryhealth #katoomba #bluemountains @frogidaus
Thank you to everyone who participated in our second Planetary Health Day last Saturday at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. It was an inspiring and very enjoyable community event and you can see some of the highlights in this short video. A lot of our research and previous presentations can be found in the videos on our YouTube channel (link in profile). Please subscribe and share! Our next Community Day will be the Interfaith Gathering at 2pm on Sunday 30 March. #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #planetaryhealthparkland #communityday #katoomba #bluemountains
Thank you to all the participants at Planetary Health Day on Saturday and to everyone who tied a ribbon around the Peace Pole and struck the gong for Peace. And particularly to @tinamariepizel for creating the space for this to happen! #peace #peacepole #peacegong #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #notowar #community #love
