Highlighting the benefits of recycled organics

The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has released Australia's first guide to help councils weigh up the costs and benefits of using compost in their public parks and gardens.

Launching "The Cost/benefit of Using Recycled Organics in Council Parks and Gardens Operations in NSW" at the Waste 2006 conference in Coffs Harbour, DEC executive director Tim Rogers said the guide would help councils identify which parks and gardens can benefit most from compost and how much money this might save them.

"In a nutshell, the guide shows councils how to save thousands of dollars, while helping the environment," Rogers said.

"For a typical Western Sydney council, it has been estimated that savings of over $25,000 per year can be achieved by using compost top dressings across eight sporting grounds and five parks.

Until recently, the sustainability and financial benefits of using compost made from household garden trimmings across Sydney as a top dressing on sporting grounds, or as much in public landscaped areas, were not fully understood," Rogers said.

Penrith City Council has been first to volunteer to use the guide to help in managing their parks and gardens. Trials have been established to renovate three heavily used sporting grounds.

General manager of Penrith City Council, Alan Travers said the council's use of the guide would be monitored for the next few months, and the overall benefits and financial savings will be fully evaluated.

To view the guide vist the Environment NSW website