Hi everyone,

I'm doing a design research paper for university on indoor composting. As part of my research I've created a short 10 question survey to research public opinion. I would be very appreciative if as many people as possible could take 3 mins to fill out the survey so that my research has some added credibility!

For survey go here http://www.ai-design.com.au
...just fill out the form and hit submit...that easy!

Thanks for your time

Done and dusted. Good luck.

Also done.

Not sure how an indoor system would have advantages over outdoor composting unless you are in a unit and have pot plants. :)

Good luck.

No problem, I completed your survey.

Hello Greenthumb

Since I’m the original prophet of doom, I have refrained from completing your survey. For me, indoor composting has a distinct disadvantage since Australia continues with its prolific use of Endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide.

There are 8 registered Endosulfan pesticide products in Australia that are used on an extensive range of produce including cotton, cereals, oilseeds, fruit, vegetables and a range of other crops.

Over fifty five countries have banned the use of Endosulfan including several developing countries. Not so in the “clean and green lands” of Australia (and of course, the USA.)

The USEPA has advised that Endosulfan is an endocrine disruptor, contrary to the advice offered by our Australian governments. It is claimed that Endosulfan is oestrogenic and antiandrogenic in human cells, and causes breast cancer cells to grow. It also interferes with male hormones,causing chronic depression of testosterone.

http://www.dea.org.au/node/260

It is toxic to and suppresses the immune system, as well as promoting allergic responses. No doubt the recycling of the toxic, commercially grown fruit and vegetable peel would be considered for use in this compost.

Therefore, indoors or outdoors, one could also be recycling trace amounts of the bio-accumulative Endosulfan if one plans to use commercially grown, inorganic kitchen scraps.

Naturally, if one chooses not to use these kitchen scraps, they will ultimately end up in landfill anyway.

I offer this information in good faith – best wishes in your endeavours!

On reflection, perhaps it is not I who is the party pooper here but rather our slack regulators?:

http://ntn.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95&Itemid=1

http://www.springerlink.com/content/w2k401x6p7888525/

That's very worrying, Dickie, thanks for this information. I didn't even realise that Australia was still using endosulfan.

If other countries have banned it they must be using something safer instead. Why is Australia not willing to use an alternative, too?