What Are The Strategies For Waste Reduction In Urban Permaculture?

“I’m starting a small urban permaculture garden in my backyard, and I’m really focused on making it as waste-free as possible. I compost a bit of kitchen waste for my plants, but I feel like there’s more I could be doing. What strategies can help someone like me, living in a busy city, reduce waste effectively without needing a large setup? Thanks a lot for your help!” James, Toronto, Canada.

Understanding Waste in Urban Permaculture

First thing’s first, James, it’s fantastic that you’re already thinking about waste reduction in your urban permaculture projects! For anyone trying to emphasize sustainability, reducing waste is one of the core pillars, and even more so in the compact spaces we usually deal with in urban areas.

Waste, in the context of permaculture, is anything that doesn’t get reused or recycled back into your system. This includes food scraps, yard trimmings, water runoff, and even energy that isn’t efficiently harnessed. The goal is to turn what some might view as “waste” into resources that can benefit your garden, and in turn, your home and community. So how can you do that? Let’s break it down.

The Power of Composting: Beyond Just Kitchen Scraps

It sounds like you’re already on the composting train with your kitchen scraps—awesome! But there’s a lot more you can throw into that compost bin than just that. Urban permaculture thrives on making use out of practically everything, so let’s look at some other materials you might have around.

• Paper and Cardboard: Shred it up and add it to your compost; just make sure the ink isn’t toxic. They break down slowly and add structure to your compost.
• Pits and Shells: Things like fruit pits and nutshells take a while to decompose, but they’ll get there. Just crush them up a bit to speed it along.
• Old Natural Fibers: Cotton or wool that’s too far gone for reuse can be composted too. Cut them into tiny pieces and mix them in.

What many people don’t realize is that composting isn’t just about reducing the waste you’re generating in your home—it’s also about closing loops in your garden’s ecosystem. By composting all organic matter, you enrich your soil, which in turn helps your plants thrive, reducing your need for external fertilizers. It’s a beautiful synergy, James.

Vermicomposting for Tight Spaces

Since you’ve got that urban setup, I’m going to throw in a bonus idea: vermicomposting. If you’re short on space or have a lot of food waste (who doesn’t when you’re cooking up a storm?), worms can be your best friends. They eat up scraps like there’s no tomorrow, and the compost they produce—or worm castings—is absolute gold for your garden.

You can keep vermiculture bins indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference and available space. The beauty of this system is its efficiency and speed. Worms break down matter quickly, and their castings have a higher nutrient content than regular compost. Plus, it’s a perfect activity for those long Toronto winters when you’re stuck inside.

Rainwater Harvesting: An Urban Necessity

Water waste in urban areas can be a significant issue, and managing water usage is crucial in small spaces where you might not have a lot of rain. Harvesting rainwater is one of the best strategies to minimize water waste and make the most of natural precipitation.

How to Get Started: If you’ve got gutters and a downspout, you’re halfway there. Install a rain barrel or an underground cistern to collect water from your roof. You might be surprised how much water a small roof can yield! Use that stored water for your garden during dry spells—it’ll save on your water bill, and your plants will appreciate the untreated, chemical-free water.

Greywater Systems: If you’re feeling ambitious, look into setting up a greywater system. This involves redirecting water from your showers or laundry (as long as it’s free of harmful chemicals) to irrigate your plants. In urban settings, a full-scale greywater system might be more challenging, but even diverting laundry water into a garden bed can make a big difference.

Recycling & Upcycling Your Way to Zero Waste

Recycling and upcycling go hand-in-hand with waste reduction—especially for those extra items that don’t quite belong in the compost. Here are some strategies you might find useful in your urban midden:

• Save Your Glass Jars: These can be reused as planters, seed starters, or general storage around your garden.
• Old Furniture Transformed: Broken chairs, tables, or crates can serve as garden beds, plant stands, or even trellises. A good coat of paint or linseed oil will keep them weather-proof and extend their life.
• Plastic Bottles: Punch some holes in the caps and bury them upside down in your garden. They act as slow-release irrigation systems to keep your soil hydrated.

Incorporating this mindset can help in reducing the amount of waste that goes to your local landfill and turns your urban space into a more self-sustaining unit.

Urban Food Production: Reducing Waste through Smart Planting

Think of your small garden as a mini-farm. Growing your own food, even in limited space, can dramatically reduce the waste associated with food packaging and transport. Some specific strategies can help maximize your yields while cutting down on waste:

Succession Planting: Boy, do I love this one, James. Instead of planting all your crops at once, stagger them over weeks or months. It keeps your garden producing fresh food over a longer period, which means you’re less likely to waste an overabundance of produce when everything ripens at once.

Companion Planting: Certain plants love growing together and even help each other thrive. For instance, beans and corn make great companions, with the beans fixing nitrogen that the corn needs. Strategic pairing not only improves yield but also uses your space more effectively, reducing waste both in space and resources.

Herb Spirals and Vertical Gardens: These are ideal for small spaces in an urban setting and can help cut down waste too! By growing vertically, you maximize the use of every square inch. Plus, harvesting is more convenient, reducing the chance of over-ripe produce going bad on the vine.

Zero Waste Isn’t Just for the Garden: Home and Community Efforts

A focus on waste reduction shouldn’t stop at the backyard gate—think about how your household and community practices can reinforce what you’re doing in the garden:

Community Composting: If you produce more organic waste than your garden can compost, and your neighbors aren’t on the ball with composting, suggest a community compost initiative. Many neighborhoods in cities like Toronto are already getting on board with shared compost bins or pickup services that convert organic waste to compost for urban agriculture programs.

Share Excess Produce: It’s easy for urban gardeners to occasionally harvest more than they can use, especially if you’re growing high-yield crops like tomatoes or zucchini. Rather than let this surplus go to waste, set up a trading system with friends or neighbors. Not only does this reduce food waste, but it strengthens your local community ties.

Household Waste Minimization: Focus on reducing the waste that enters your home in the first place. Buy in bulk, avoid products with excessive packaging, and prioritize durability and repairability in household goods. Such practices naturally complement the waste reduction strategies in your urban permaculture setup.

The Myth of “Zero Waste” and Making it Workable

Before we wrap this up, let’s address what can be a stress point for many: the concept of “zero waste.” While it’s an admirable goal, in practical terms, it’s not always feasible. Aiming for zero waste is about making every effort to reduce what you throw away, but it’s more important to do what works for you. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.

If something is causing too much stress or taking the joy out of gardening and sustainability, give it a reassess. A “mostly waste-free” garden is far better than giving up altogether because zero waste feels too challenging. In urban settings, it’s all about balance and finding what fits into your lifestyle, James.

Final Thoughts…

You’re on the right path, James, and it’s inspiring to see people like you, in cities all over the world, wanting to make a difference. Implementing even a few of these strategies will greatly reduce waste in your urban permaculture garden and help you create a more sustainable space right in your own backyard.

Remember, waste reduction is a journey, not a destination. Take it one step at a time, find joy in the solutions that work, and keep innovating those that don’t. Thanks for sending in your questions, and happy gardening!