Composting Week is upon us!

By Masa Jamaludeen

With International Compost Awareness Week from the 15 -21 March, green enthusiasts like Crystal Walker, aka The Compost Fairy, say that now is the most important time to start being sustainable. “Climate change has been rearing its ugly head for decades and our planet is suffering,” she says. This week is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry, made to celebrate and encourage the practice.

Crystal is the owner of a cosmetic business, named ‘Crystal’s Den’ that manufactures compostable products and for this special week, she is dedicated to teaching beginners how to incorporate composting into their routines.

Crystal Walker aka ‘The Compost Fairy’ in her compost garden. Credit: Crystal Walker

As part of her initiative, she is calling for governments and corporations to make commitments rooted in environmental consciousness. There is the issue of accessibility as everyone does not have space for compost. Having a government-sponsored compost programme would be a remedy. Until that happens, Crystal provides us with the tools needed to get started.

Crystal showing how she covers her compost pile after filling it every day. Credit: Crystal Walker

When composting, she applies the rule of 3:1. 3 parts of the compost must contain brown material and 1 part green. “I’ve reduced waste by throwing away so much fewer recyclables. Before composting, I would’ve tossed newspaper, food scraps, wine, but now that’s all in my compost bins,” Crystal says.

The ecological benefits are great, as adding compost to the ground will buff up any

nutrient-depleted soil, producing less methane stewing in landfills and more nutrient-rich earth “cookin’ in our yards”, says Crystal. Composting could also improve our sense of stewardship towards this planet, as Crystal says, “with this rich soil, we can grow beautiful trees, food and flowers to clean our air, feed our bodies and brighten our souls”.

Crystal tending to her compost pile. Credit: Crystal Walker

Not only do we benefit but so does our agricultural sector. “Given the nutritious properties of compost, farmers and gardeners will use it to cultivate seeds and feed crops,” says Crystal.

If you think composting won’t change anything then think again, this practice could surely better our environment.