Create compost to build a green and clean backyard

CHENNAI: Most of us are familiar with the process of composting but only in botany text books and somewhere hidden in our minds, blocked by laziness. But did you know, five minutes of your time in the kitchen can reduce the number of landfills and stabilise our ecosystem? Five children were taught some easy methods of composting at Green Minds Centre under the guidance of its founder, Abirambika Ravivarman this weekend.

Watching them put a plateful of waste into a planter with holes and churn it well with saw dust, Abirambika says, “Though leaves are a much better option, it may not be easy to collect them every day. Sawdust is an easy and effective alternative. Buy a sackful and use it every day. Fruits and vegetable waste can be easily composted at home on a small scale.” She then adds a few drops of enzymes (micro-organisms) to activate the process.

As we continued to chat with her and the kids moved on to their worksheets, City Express finds out that Green Minds has been conducting small-level workshops for kids between the ages of 5- 12 for more than a year. It all started with her personal experience. “When I was a kid, the temperature outside would be just 35 degrees maximum. Now, I see my young son struggle in the heat. My perspective towards the environment changed then. As a result, composting was being done at home. People told me it would be a pain, but I still tried and the experience was rewarding. Soon, I began teaching kids to do it too. It is a lot of fun really!” she smiles. No complications at all? “There will be no problems if we follow certain guidelines. Like keep away from direct rain. Always keep the mix dry by adding the required amount of sawdust or leaves. Insects are actually good, earthworms for instance. And at the end of 45 days, it is ready, smelling like fresh earth with no sign of the waste.”

It takes less than five minutes to pick your organic wastes, dump it into the terracotta pot or a waste bucket, churn it with saw dust and cover the pot with a lid. At the end of 45 days, wouldn’t it feel good to give back some food to our environment? Green Minds conducts workshops on different concepts frequently. 

To know more, visit www.greenmindscenter.com

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The New Indian Express
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