Composting and worm farming equipment

Each year, the City of Canning collects tonnes of garden and food waste from general waste bins. By composting your food scraps and garden prunings at home, you can nurture your soil’s health, create greener gardens and minimise your waste.

We offer residents rebates on composting and worm farming equipment. To claim your rebate, go to the Eco Rebates page.

We also provide workshops on how to use and get the most out of your equipment. To check out the next City’s workshops, visit the Events page.

Which composting or worm farming equipment is right for me?

Composting and worm farming are alternative ways to dispose of your food scraps, lawn clippings, fallen leaves and small branches. There are many types of equipment to choose from depending on your household and lifestyle. Read more about the different options below to help you make the right decision.

Compost bin

Compost bins are great for those who have an outdoor garden and want compost for their plants. They need a good balance of carbon (e.g., shredded paper and dry garden organics), nitrogen (e.g., food scraps and green garden organics), aeration and moisture to perform efficiently.

Compost bins are available in either stationary or tumbler systems. Stationary systems require contact with the soil and allow worms to come up from the ground to aid the composting process. A tumbler system is a great option for people with limited space or those looking for an ergonomic option that limits bending and lifting, though it requires regular manual turning.

For more information on setting up a stationary compost bin, check this compost bin guide (PDF 1MB).

Bokashi bucket

The Bokashi bucket is ideal for apartments or homes with small gardens. Bokashi composting uses a special mix to ferment food scraps into a safe soil builder and nutrient-rich tea for your plants. Meat, bones, bread, cooking oil and dairy are not easily composted in a traditional compost bin, which makes Bokashi composting great for these scraps.

For more information on setting up a Bokashi bucket, check out the Bokashi bucket guide (PDF 1MB).

In-ground worm tube

Worm tubes are ideal if you want the benefits of worm farming without the work of maintaining a worm farm. Certain things are not suitable for worm tubes, such as meat scraps and bones, dairy, citrus, onions and garlic. Worms will eat your food scraps and leave behind castings that you can use in your garden beds.

For more information on setting up an in-ground worm tube, check this in-ground worm tube guide (PDF 1MB).

Worm farm

Worm farms are suitable for those who want worm castings and liquid fertiliser for their garden and have a shaded place either outdoors or indoors for the farm. Certain things are not suitable for worm farms, such as meat scraps and bones, dairy, citrus, onions and garlic. We strongly advise that you attend a worm farming workshop to learn more about the system before purchasing. To check out the next workshop, visit the Events page.

For more information about worm farms, visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Agriculture and Food website.