Community learnings through residential composting in apartment buildings

Abstract

Communities need to engage in initiatives that tackle environmental sustainability issues. However, the lessons communities learn from these initiatives may go far beyond the initial local project. This article presents findings from an empirical study investigating the experiences of 38 residents who began participating in on-site composting in their apartment buildings. It was found that resident learnings extended beyond composting. Free-choice learning outcomes varied by the composting method and educational approach. For some residents, participation resulted in a greater awareness of food waste produced. For others, their involvement in on-site composting inspired a greater sense of community, a deepened connection with nature, and a desire to grow green spaces and create positive global change toward sustainability.

Keywords:

• Adult education
• education for sustainability
• Education for Sustainable Development
• experiential education
• free-choice learning
• recycling

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the apartment residents who participated in the research, the building managers and Owners Corporations, as well as the local council officers, composting technology suppliers, and all those who offered their assistance and enthusiasm during research and composting projects. We would like to thank our anonymous referees for their attentive revisions and suggestions.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the CRC for Low Carbon Living Ltd supported by the Cooperative Research Centres program, an Australian Government initiative.