Muswellbrook Shire Council’s Garden Improver has enabled them to not only divert waste from landfill, but to convert it to a valuable resource that improves agricultural soils, boosts the economy, and creates jobs. By providing the Garden Improver to the community, domestic customers can return nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil in a simple way. The nutrient recycling process helps maintain soil fertility and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers while closing the nutrient loop. In addition, the Garden Improver is produced locally at a small to medium scale; reducing transportation related emissions, supporting local economic development, and providing a value for money product to the local community.

In the period of March to July 2023, over 300 15kg bags of Garden Improver were sold to the community, with sales likely to increase leading into Spring. The success of the Garden Improver highlights the importance of engaging and empowering the community towards achieving sustainability goals.