WITH recycling high on the priority list, Drakensteiners are also turning to worm farming (vermiculture), which turns organic material into potent compost.
A worm farm is a relatively easy concept. Needed is an old container with small holes in the bottom, sand or gravel, old newspapers and redwiggler earthworms (eisenia fedita).
Start by placing a layer of sand in the container followed by a layer of compost. Tear the newspapers and mix it with the compost and sprinkle with water.
This will help to keep the compost and the worms moist. And then add the earthworms by gently covering them up with compost. Continuously feed the earthworms with leftover foods and organic materials.
As long as the compost is moist and the earthworms are fed, they will keep on producing a fertile liquid compost dubbed “worm tea”, which can be diluted with water and used in the garden or vegetable patch.
Information is available on google: “journeytoforever +worm+compost.
Many Paarl Post readers have been enquiring just how they can get involved in recycling. The first step is to separate and sort household garbage.
Several types of materials can be recycled, in various groups - organic materials, glass, plastics and paper.
Organic materials are usually the easiest material to recycle, because they are biodegradable.
Glass is easy to recycle. Glass companies prefer that glass be categorised according to colour. It is even easier just to throw them into the several glass recycling bins in the area.
Glass containers are situated near Brug Street in the Berg River Boulevard, next to Zeederberg Square in Main Street, the Checkers Centre on the corner of Breda Street and Castle street, the German Club in Klein Parys Road, Keurfontein bottle store in Main Street, outside Paarl Girls’ High and the Pick ’n Pay Centre in Fabriek Street.
Wellington has glass containers at the Boland Stadium, Shoprite Centre in Church Street and Wamakersvallei Primary School in the Bovlei. There is a container at Bridge House School in Groot Drakenstein.
For more information on locations of these containers, contact Two Oceans Glass Recycling at 021-951-5502 or Consol Glass at 083-571-5754.
Plastic is made from oil based chemicals which are non-biodegradable. For information on recycling of plastics, visit www.plasticsinfo.co.za (021-591-5513) or contact Responsible Recycling at 083-258-3119.
Paper are classified according to density. Cardboard has a different density than ordinary paper and is worth less than copy paper which is of a higher quality fibre and easier to recycle.
Residences in Paarl can recycle both waste paper and plastics at Mr Paper, Alkmaar Street, Paarl (021-872-1270) or Captain Waste (082-613-9185).
