Workshop: 'Composting in practice – how to care for the environment by creating natural fertiliser'

Can household waste become a valuable resource instead of an environmental problem? During the workshop 'Composting in practice – how to care for the environment by creating natural fertiliser', residents of Żory will learn the principles of proper composting and discover how everyday actions at home can support an environmentally friendly economy and contribute to restoring the natural cycles that healthy soils depend on.

The workshops will take place in the districts of the city of Żory and will be led by a specialist in agricultural advisory services, who will explain in a clear and practical way how the composting process works and why it is an important element of modern waste management.

During the workshop, participants will learn why it is worth composting organic waste, what environmental benefits it brings and how composting helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. They will also gain an understanding of how returning organic matter to the soil supports biodiversity, improves soil health and contributes to the protection of natural ecosystems. The basic principles of setting up a compost bin at home will also be presented, both in gardens and in smaller household spaces.

Participants will also learn the practical rules of composting: what can be placed in a compost bin, what materials should be avoided, how to maintain the proper moisture and aeration of compost and how to recognise when natural compost fertiliser is ready to use.

The workshop will include a hands-on component. Participants will be able to see examples of composting solutions and learn how to create their own simple mini-compost bin that can transform plant waste into natural fertiliser — a small but tangible investment in nature that begins at home and scales up through community action.

The session will demonstrate that composting is one of the simplest examples of the circular economy, where waste becomes a valuable resource again instead of being discarded. Such practices help reduce the use of raw materials, support healthy soil and contribute to building a more sustainable urban economy — showing that investment in nature need not be large-scale to be meaningful, and that restoring natural processes at the community level generates real environmental returns.

The workshop also highlights that environmental protection begins with everyday choices made by residents, and that responsible waste management is an important part of caring for nature, the climate and the quality of life in cities. By empowering citizens with practical knowledge and tools, the event fosters the kind of community-driven investment in nature that underpins long-term environmental resilience.

The event is implemented as part of the project 'Silesia. Blue Sky Restored'.

Hosts: Joanna Szerzyńska-Grabowska, eco-manager of the Żory Municipality, Joanna Leśniak, Head of the Waste Management Department, and Kamila Polak, Waste Management Department of the Żory City Office.