Curtin Malaysia’s public talk on Bokashi composting and environmental sustainability receives positive response from attendees

Miri – 14 September 2023 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), in collaboration with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri recently hosted a public talk on Bokashi composting, environmental sustainability, and fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, held at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, garnered a positive response from attendees, highlighting the overwhelming interest and support for sustainable practices.

The public talk aimed to educate and raise awareness about the importance of Bokashi composting, a method of composting that utilises beneficial microorganisms to ferment organic waste rapidly. This environmentally-friendly process helps reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills while simultaneously creating nutrient-rich soil amendments for agricultural use.

The event featured prominent green ambassador Mathew Benson who shared his vast knowledge and expertise in sustainability, particularly in Bokashi composting and how he is spearheading Miri’s Bokashi Project, a community initiative that encourages people to practise composting. During the talk, Mathew and his wife, Virginia, demonstrated the process of home Bokashi composting, showing just how easy it is to apply the technique to convert food waste into organic fertilisers.

Mathew was joined by two speakers from Curtin Malaysia’s School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE), Crystal Lau and Michelle Phua, who shared their knowledge and insights on how sustainable practices like Bokashi composting play a crucial role in achieving the UN SDGs. Other topics included the benefits of recycling organic waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and conserving resources.

Highlighting the issues of escalating food wastage and its implications, Mathew remarked, “With urbanisation and increasing populations, food waste has become an acute problem. Bokashi provides a simple yet impactful solution to convert this waste into a resource, enriching the soil and reducing the impact on our landfills.”

Crystal, meanwhile, emphasised the significance of individual and community participation in sustainability action. “Every bit of action, no matter how small, can help create a sustainable future for all. The Bokashi Project not only addresses the environmental aspects of the UN SDGs but also empowers people in Miri to actively participate in sustainability initiatives,” she said.

The attendees comprised a diverse group of individuals, including students, academics, community members, and local businesses with a keen interest in environmental sustainability. The positive response was evidenced through the engaging discussions and participants’ enthusiasm to adopt Bokashi composting practices in their own homes, communities and organisations.

The public talk was organised by SPACE as part of its ongoing Sustainable Development Goals talk series in collaboration with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri.

Associate Professor Fidella Tiew, Director of SPACE, expressed her satisfaction with the attendees’ positive response, saying, “We are delighted to see such an enthusiastic response to our public talk. It signifies that there is a growing interest and commitment towards sustainable practices in our community.”

She further added, “Through initiatives like Bokashi composting, we can reduce our environmental footprint while contributing to the achievement of the UN SDGs. We are incredibly proud of the attendees’ dedication and hope that they implement what they have learned to make a real difference in their daily lives.”

For more information on SPACE’s upcoming public talks at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, please contact the SPACE Administration Team by email to cm.space@curtin.edu.my, or contact Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri at +6085-422525.

Through these talks, Curtin Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to promoting sustainable practices and will continue organising events, talks and workshops to drive environmental awareness and action within the community. The success of the public talk on Bokashi composting highlights the university’s pivotal role in advocating for environmental conservation and supporting the fulfillment of the UN SDGs.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Mathew Benson giving his talk on home Bokashi composting

Mathew and Virginia teaching attendees the process of Bokashi composting

Crystal Lau sharing her knowledge and insights on environmental sustainability