Recap: Community Compost Workshop, Gozhuang

A few months before winter fully arrived in Taipei, we connected with Gozhuang Community at a local market. After an engaging conversation, we initiated a community composting collaboration with them. As the new year began, Roots & Shoots launched Gozhuang Community’s #CommunityComposting Workshop, officially introducing three compost bins into the neighborhood.

The workshop took place on a pleasant Friday afternoon, with a turnout exceeding our initial expectations. In addition to Gozhuang residents, many others interested in community composting and compost bins joined the event. Roots & Shoots invited Professor Chien-Tai Chen as the keynote speaker to introduce the principles of #CommunityComposting and #CompostBins. Additionally, members of Roots & Shoots shared their hands-on experiences using compost bins at NTU.

Teacher Chen, drawing from permaculture principles, emphasized that the composting method used in the community aligns with the concept of appropriate technology, summarizing key principles:

1. The solution to an environmental issue should have minimal ecological impact.

2. The method should be accessible and affordable for the local community.

3. The community should have the capability to maintain the system.

4. The method should provide direct benefits to its users.

   
   

Following the introduction, participants headed to the green space to assemble the compost bins together, finally placing them at the Urban Performance Venue. If you’re interested in learning more about the design and principles behind the compost bins, visit our website:🔗 

During this workshop, we saw a strong commitment to food waste issues and a genuine passion for environmental action. Every participant was highly engaged, and the Gozhuang community leader was especially supportive, actively taking part and advocating for the community composting initiative.

Of course, real-world community projects often come with challenges. Some skepticism arose, primarily due to a reflexive aversion to the term "food waste." Others had doubts simply because they were unfamiliar with compost bins and the broader food waste issue. We hope that through continuous workshops, we can gradually change these perceptions and demonstrate the feasibility of community composting through hands-on practice. At Roots & Shoots, we believe that these challenges are valuable opportunities for progress and growth. In the coming semester, we will continue to learn, strengthen our skills, and tackle obstacles step by step.

A heartfelt thank you to the Gozhuang Community for their enthusiasm and support. Their dedication enabled us to take the first step in establishing community composting. We look forward to expanding this initiative and bringing even greater environmental benefits in the future! 🌱✨