Renali, 20, Papatoetoe

I’m currently a full-time student studying Sustainable Enterprise and International Business. I also work full-time at Counties Manukau District Health Board underneath the sustainability department at Middlemore Hospital handling hospital waste! I’m passionate about the environment and want to make a positive change for our present and future.

Which composting methods do you use?

I live with my parents and we all have a pretty busy life, so we try not to do anything fancy! We are currently only using the original composting method, which is so easy! Chuck all organics into a bin and let nature do its job!

When did you start composting?

I started composting two years ago, that’s when I finally clicked all the dots together! Organics, landfill, zero waste etc. At first it was a struggle, but now it just comes naturally as second nature!

Why do you do it?

I do it because I can’t imagine organics ending up in landfill. Landfills scare me, imagine all those organics being in the landfill… not degraded and just laying there. I also do it because I want to give back to nature, Mother Earth provides us with a home and this is the least I can do.

What do you love about it?

Composting helps me connect back with nature, something so simple can be so calming.

How do you think we can encourage more Aucklanders to compost?

I’m always brainstorming ideas with others of how to encourage Aucklanders and this is what we think of:
1) Collaborating with organisations for instance, the Compost Collective!
2) Hosting free workshops!
3) People love CHEAP and EASY methods of composting, an idea can be: making a compost under $10.
4) Making it fun!
5) Connecting people with the importance of nature, however this comes with educating them first!