Wednesday, February 26, 2014

de Composter

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.