I was stunned when editing a section in a book about how before weddings, a community in Rajasthan (maybe all communities in Rajasthan) worshipped the garbage can for taking away waste from their lives. I am amazed at the thoughtfulness of our forefathers who respected every aspect of our life!
Very appropriately, that day also happened to be the day I ventured into composting. A few years ago, I had started waste segregation but it fell by the wayside, or rather, all waste ended in the same bin. Recently, I started feeling guilty about not doing anything and the seed of thought - to source segregate - had not even taken route in my mind when two people casually mentioned their composting initiatives. Even then, it didn't seem like something I would do.
And then, finally, after receiving a link from a relative and talking briefly with him, I was inspired to try my hand at it in the pots that I have not used to raise plants. Why not give it a shot!
Of course, this is just the fourth day and I am not even sure how it will turn out. But, the moment I see organic waste, my eyes light up. I reverentially collect it separately. On the road, when I see dried leaves flying around uselessly, I want to grab them all and dump them in the compost pot. I can well understand now why our ancestors worshipped that waste - which was predominantly organic matter - as it would go back to the soil and fertilise their lands. It was not waste but another resource.
I am glad to have talked to several people for professional reasons on recycling, upcycling and what not. But it is an even greater feeling of contentment and elation to think I could also contribute positively to it.
Very appropriately, that day also happened to be the day I ventured into composting. A few years ago, I had started waste segregation but it fell by the wayside, or rather, all waste ended in the same bin. Recently, I started feeling guilty about not doing anything and the seed of thought - to source segregate - had not even taken route in my mind when two people casually mentioned their composting initiatives. Even then, it didn't seem like something I would do.
And then, finally, after receiving a link from a relative and talking briefly with him, I was inspired to try my hand at it in the pots that I have not used to raise plants. Why not give it a shot!
Of course, this is just the fourth day and I am not even sure how it will turn out. But, the moment I see organic waste, my eyes light up. I reverentially collect it separately. On the road, when I see dried leaves flying around uselessly, I want to grab them all and dump them in the compost pot. I can well understand now why our ancestors worshipped that waste - which was predominantly organic matter - as it would go back to the soil and fertilise their lands. It was not waste but another resource.
I am glad to have talked to several people for professional reasons on recycling, upcycling and what not. But it is an even greater feeling of contentment and elation to think I could also contribute positively to it.
Not to deter you but rats attacking the compost bin effectively put an end to my composting efforts, since I had no 'outside space' for the bins, the balconies could not keep the rats away, and indoor the smell would be too much. Now waste segregation/composting is done in the building and scales very well. We get bags of compost every month to use and sell apart from recycling tons of other stuff, significantly reducing the actual garbage we need to dispose.. We all had to invest in a larger scale composting unit though.
ReplyDeleteOf course our ancestors were much more eco-friendly. T'was so much more easier too then..!
Thanks for the warning! I was cautioned about lizards, will watch out for this. Doing it on apartment scale? Not sure at this stage though it makes lot of sense.
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