The magic of composting (with Hana Nur Auliana, Alfred Grand & Ben Conard)

We’re taking a closer look at composting! Did you know that the transformation from biomass to humus soil is key to survival on earth? Since very few plants can grow without humus, we’re dependent on it. Let's dig into the science, business and awareness building of composting! In this episode, Evelina pays a visit to Alfred Grand, founder of Vermigrand, an earthworm compost and humus business in Austria. Malin meets up with Hana Nur Auliana, growth hacker of Waste4Change, a compost, recycling and consulting company in Indonesia. Moreover, we chat to Ben Conard, marketing director of Noissue a compostable mailer business in New Zealand. Alfred explains how composting works, he dives into hot and cold options, the commercial production of Vermigrand’s organic humus soil, and all the ways to keep earthworms happy and eager to do their work. Hana talks about Waste4Change’s programs “Send Your Waste” and “Zero Waste to Landfill”, and the efficiency of the Indonesian black soldier fly. Ben shares Noissue’s insights on composting as an incremental part of your business model and enabling for businesses and end-consumers to make environmentally sustainable choices. All in all, this is an episode celebrating not only earthworms and black soldier flies - but the critical change small and medium-sized business can contribute to! Oh, and by the “magic of composting”, we mean the science and biology of composting, it’s just so cool, we couldn’t help ourselves. This certainly is magical! Sources Vermigrand’s website, http://vermigrand.com Noissue’s website, http://noissue.co Waste4Change’s website, https://waste4change.com Definition of Homininae, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homininae Facts about earthworms, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthworm Facts about soldier flies, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens Facts about soldier flies, https://waste4change.com/black-soldier-flies-bsf-great-business-opportunity-and-a-perfect-solution-to-organic-waste-problem/small-2/ Waste4Change’s “Send your waste program”, https://waste4change.com/sendyourwaste/ Waste4Change’s “Zero waste to landfill”, https://waste4change.com/official/service/zero-waste-to-landfill-management Facts about composting, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost Composting guide, https://yuzumag.com/how-to-compost/ Facts about ecosystem services, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_services How to make compost at home, https://happydiyhome.com/how-to-make-compost/ Let us know what you think! We’d love to get your feedback on the podcast. Did you learn something new in this episode? Would you recommend others to listen to Love Zero Waste? What topics do you want us to tackle in the podcast? We’re all ears! Please also leave a review on Apple Podcast. That would mean the world to us. And it makes it easier for more people to find us. Let’s co-create! Love Zero Waste is a collaboration between Circulous and The Good Tribe. We’re always open to ideas and collaborations. Spread the love using #lovezerowaste. Credits Idea, production and editing: The Good Tribe, www.thegoodtribe.com and Circulous, www.circulous.biz Hosts: Evelina Lundqvist and Malin Leth Mixing: Umami produktion, www.umamiproduktion.se Jingle: Merlinn Sound, www.merlinnsound.com Initiators the Love Zero Waste community: Evelina Lundqvist and Alexandra Poetz