Clinic composts

ST JOHN of God Pinelodge in Dandenong is doing their part to protect their surroundings by implementing environmentally friendly practices.
Last month, with the assistance of K and S Environmental Group, the 54-bed mental health clinic introduced its latest initiative to reduce and recycle its kitchen waste.
It was initiated in support of Earth Day 2010, a global campaign to encourage people, businesses and governments to adopt greener policies
Staff and management implemented the initiative in an attempt to reduce waste which the healthcare clinic sends to landfill and minimise unfavourable methane emissions.
It is expected to create an environmental saving of 24,960 litres of food waste, which will be recycled into compost to form topsoil for agricultural use.
The clinic’s environment and sustainability advisor Melissa Carstens said composting was a great way to help out environment.
“It’s a rewarding way to watch the process of recycling in action,” she said.
“Australia has very thin topsoil and is nutrient poor, by composting both of these issues are addressed.”
Chief executive officer Graham Cadd said the initiative was largely beneficial to the local community.
“The composting initiative is such a simple scheme but its results will have huge benefits to our local environment; and it is just one of many projects that Pinelodge Clinic is implementing where staff can actively participate,” he said.