It’s half an hour until dinner, and Tasneem Dalal from Melbourne is in a frenzy prepping her kitchen. She’s decided to treat her family to a lip-smacking vegetable curry—and she’s determined to serve it right on time. Punctual to a fault, Tasneem moves swiftly with her knife.
Chop. Chop. Chop.
The rhythm is second nature—and though she is short on time, she takes a moment to break an old habit. She takes the vegetable peels and instead of tossing them in a general waste bin, puts them into a basket labelled ‘For Compost’.
“As someone who loves gardening, I used to buy compost from the market,” she says. “But after chatting with friends who were composting at home, I did some research and realized I could make my own. That’s when my composting journey truly began—sparked by my love for plants.”
Across Australia, a country renowned for its eco-consciousness and deep respect for the environment, composting is more than a trend—it’s a growing lifestyle choice. Among those embracing this green habit are a few members of the Dawoodi Bohra community from Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide.
Getting started: Small steps, big changes
Taha Shakir from Melbourne admits he needed a little push initially—but a local initiative helped him take the plunge. “Once the city council started the Food and Organics (FOGO) waste collection, there was no excuse not to compost. It became so easy and convenient to avoid sending even a single fruit peel to the landfill.”
In Adelaide, Murtaza Zirapuri shares that composting aligns with one of the Dawoodi Bohra community’s core values: avoiding waste. “My concern for the environment and the positive impact composting has on nature motivated me to start.”
Tasneem acknowledges that it hasn’t been a perfect process. “At one point, I had to throw away an entire batch because I mistakenly added bones and other unsuitable items, which caused it to spoil. It was a good reminder that not everything organic belongs in the compost bin. Each mistake helped me understand the process better.”
Shakir agrees, “You never really master it overnight. Things go wrong. But investing in a kitchen caddy—80% subsidized by the council—made a big difference. We’re still learning, especially about what not to add, like tea bags with metal staples.”
Zirapuri is particularly proud to be a part of a team that has taken up the cause during large-scale community events.
“During Ramadan, we host daily gatherings that include dinner. A couple of years ago, some of us decided to start composting the food waste from these events. We began on a small scale and made it a point to track our impact. To our surprise, we found that our efforts helped offset more than 350 kilograms of CO₂. It’s been incredibly rewarding and continues to motivate us to keep the initiative going,” he added.
What (and how) to compost
Understanding what goes in the compost bin is key.
Insiyah Daginawala from Perth breaks it down: “We keep food scraps like vegetable peels, eggshells, and even meat cuts in a separate bin with a compostable liner. Stale bread, spoiled yogurt, and kids’ leftover snacks go in, too.”
She’s taken her commitment further by involving her children. “They’ve learned what belongs in the compost, recycling, and general waste bins. It’s a life skill.”
Tasneem has done the same. “We collect scraps daily and keep a small green bin near the sink for convenience. The kids help empty it into our outdoor compost bin. We compost fruit and veggie peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and garden clippings—just everyday waste, put to good use.”
Shakir uses a hybrid system: “I have an outdoor pile for overflow and a worm farm for slightly off fruit. But more than 90% of our composting is done through the green FOGO bin.”
The benefits of composting: Beyond the bin
Composting brings benefits both inside and out—from raising environmental awareness to improving garden health.
Tasneem shares, “We’ve seen amazing changes. The kids now sort their lunch leftovers on their own. Our overall waste has reduced, and our plants look healthier. We’ve even noticed an increase in fruit production. Seeing these results is so satisfying.”
Shakir concurs. “Our regular waste bin is nearly empty now. Most of our household waste is either recycled or composted.”
A greener tomorrow, one habit at a time
The goal is simple: protect the planet, reduce waste, and ensure a sustainable future. And what better place to start than with the next generation?
Tasneem laughs, “One of the funniest things is how seriously the kids take composting. They’ve become the compost police! They even correct their dad if he puts something in the wrong bin.”
Shakir adds, “My four-year-old isn’t as excited to eat the fruit as she is to feed the cores to our worm farm!”
With the right mindset, composting can become second nature. Once you begin, the journey only gets easier—and more fulfilling.
Tips for getting started
Tasneem offers this advice: “Anyone can compost. It’s more doable than it seems. Just take time to research and set up a system that fits your routine. Start small, stay consistent, and learn as you go.
Daginawala adds, “At first, separating waste seems tedious—but with time, it becomes a habit.”
Shakir puts it simply: “If you’ve figured out life so far, you can figure out composting. All you have to do is pause and think before you throw. And then, just drop it in the right bin.”
