Composting at Home in Mauritius

Every Mauritian household produces kitchen scraps — vegetable peels, fruit skins, eggshells, tea leaves. Instead of sending them to Mare Chicose landfill, turn them into rich compost for your garden.

Why Compost?

• Reduces household waste by up to 30%
• Improves soil structure — Mauritius volcanic soils benefit hugely from organic matter
• Saves money on chemical fertilisers
• Retains moisture in soil during dry spells

What You Need

• A shaded corner in your yard (1m x 1m is enough)
• A simple bin — wooden pallets, wire mesh, or even a large plastic drum with holes
• Brown materials: dried leaves, cardboard, sugarcane bagasse
• Green materials: kitchen scraps, grass clippings, fresh leaves

The Recipe

Layer your compost like a lasagna:

1. Bottom layer — twigs and sticks for drainage (5cm)
2. Brown layer — dried leaves or shredded cardboard (10cm)
3. Green layer — kitchen scraps, fruit peels (5cm)
4. Repeat layers until bin is full
5. Top with soil or finished compost to reduce smell

Golden Rules

• Turn weekly with a fork to add oxygen
• Keep moist like a wrung-out sponge — not soggy
• Balance greens and browns — roughly 2:1 brown to green
• Never add meat, dairy, cooked food, or pet waste

What to Compost from Your Kitchen

Timeline

In Mauritius's warm climate, compost can be ready in 6-8 weeks if turned regularly. You will know it is ready when it looks dark, crumbly, and smells earthy.

Using Your Compost

• Mix into garden beds before planting
• Use as mulch around fruit trees
• Add to potting mix for seedlings (1 part compost to 2 parts soil)

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Start composting today and grow healthier produce. Find farmers who use organic methods on Ti Bazar.