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Why Your Compost Might Not Be Heating Up (And How to Fix It)

Composting is basically alchemy; you toss in kitchen scraps, yard clippings, and other organic materials, and nature turns it into crumbly black gold. But sometimes, your compost pile doesn’t cooperate—it’s not heating up, or it’s just lukewarm when it should be steamy. If you’re dealing with a compost pile that’s playing it cool, here’s why it might be happening and how to get things back on track....

How Little Buddies Helps Businesses Achieve Sustainability Goals

Sustainability is more than a buzzword—it's a critical component of modern business strategy. Little Buddies is here to help businesses achieve their sustainability goals through effective food waste management....

Earth Day 2024: A Call to Action for Our Planet

Every year on April 22, millions of people around the globe come together to celebrate Earth Day, a day dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability. But what exactly is Earth Day, and why was it created? More importantly, what can we, as individuals, do to contribute to its mission?...

Little Buddies to the Rescue: Turning Food Waste into Compost Gold

In the quest for sustainable agriculture and waste management, the role of composting cannot be overstated. Among the various organic materials utilized in composting, food waste holds a particularly transformative potential. This often-overlooked (and landfill-bound) resource can significantly enhance the quality of compost, introducing a myriad of benefits for soil health, plant growth, and the broader ecosystem....

Reconnecting the Dots: Revitalizing the Nutrient Cycle

The nutrient cycle, a crucial ecological process, recycles essential minerals and compounds through the environment, supporting plant, animal, and microbial life. Historically, this cycle maintained a natural balance, with organic matter decomposing into the soil to nourish the next generation of plants. However, modern developments such as refrigeration and the globalization of food supply chains have significantly increased food miles, disconnecting the production and consumption of food from ...

A Regenerative Path: Securing New Zealand's Agricultural Future

The global shift towards sustainability is setting new standards for agricultural exports with Net Zero mandates. For New Zealand farmers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Adapting to regenerative farming practices now can be a strategic move to future-proof agriculture against these evolving international trade requirements and environmental uncertainties like extreme weather events and droughts....

Navigating Net Zero - A Potential Crisis for New Zealand Agriculture

Net Zero emissions have become a global imperative to combat climate change, requiring the balance of emitted greenhouse gases with those removed from the atmosphere. This concept, while crucial for environmental sustainability, poses significant risks to New Zealand's agricultural sector....

Consulting Services - Your Waste, Our Expertise

In the journey towards sustainable business practices, every company faces unique challenges, especially when it comes to waste management. Little Buddies introduces an innovative solution for businesses with industrial land suitable for composting and vermiculture but lacking in specific expertise: our On-Site Consulting Services.In tune with the "we do all the work, you take all the credit!" moto of our partnership program, the On Site Consulting offering is aimed at businesses who wish to ret...

Evolving Organic Waste Management: A Call to Action for Waste Carriers

In the evolving landscape of waste management, the role of waste carriers is becoming increasingly crucial. Little Buddies is spearheading an initiative to transform organic waste handling, offering unique partnership opportunities for waste carriers. Our goal is to enhance sustainability and efficiency in waste processing, benefiting both our partners and the environment....

Simplifying Sustainability: Co-Located Services by Little Buddies

For many businesses, the desire to engage in sustainable waste management practices like composting and vermiculture clashes with the realities of urban regulations, space constraints, and the significant investment needed for infrastructure. Little Buddies presents a solution through our Co-Located Services, a program designed to let businesses contribute to sustainability without the hassle....

Choosing the Right Organic Waste Management Method: Anaerobic Digestion vs. Aerobic Hot Composting

When it comes to managing organic waste, two popular methods stand out: anaerobic digestion and aerobic hot composting. Both have their merits, and understanding the pros and cons of each can guide you in selecting the most suitable approach for your waste management needs. Let's explore the intricacies of anaerobic digestion and aerobic hot composting,...

Small Steps to Big Change: Cultivating a Sustainable Business Culture

In today's world, sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity. However, shifting a business culture towards sustainable practices can seem daunting. The good news is, change can start with small, manageable actions. This post explores how businesses can gradually integrate sustainability into their core, influencing both their internal operations and the broader community....

The Perils of Organic Waste in Landfill

Organic matter is a large proportion of the waste we create in our business and home lives and is typically sent to landfill. However, what happens to organic matter in landfill is a complex process that poses significant risks to the environment....

Protozoa: Unsung Heroes of Healthy Soil

When it comes to healthy soil ecosystems, we often think of earthworms, bacteria, and fungi. But there's another group of microorganisms that can have a big impact on soil health: protozoa. Protozoa are single-celled microorganisms that belong to the kingdom Protista. They are incredibly diverse and can be found in almost every soil ecosystem on Earth. And despite their small size, they play an important role in maintaining healthy soils....

From Landfill to Land: How Little Buddies Returns Nutrients to the Soil

Landfills are often the unfortunate endpoints for vast quantities of food waste. Yet, within these discarded scraps lie a wealth of nutrients that the Earth could reclaim. Little Buddies has embarked on a mission: divert food waste from landfills and utilize it to rejuvenate our soil....

Spring Soils: Impacts and Oppportunities

Spring in New Zealand is a time of profound change beneath our feet as soil temperatures rise and rain patterns shift. Understanding these changes is vital for every gardener and farmer.; here's where Little Buddies' innovative worm farms and composting techniques make a difference....

The Nutrient Cycle: How Little Buddies' Worm Farms Transform Our Environment

The nutrient cycle is an intricate and vital process that keeps nature in balance. Essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium cycle through ecosystems, supporting life at every turn. However, urbanization and modern waste management practices often disrupt this cycle, sending valuable nutrients to landfills instead of back to the land. That's where Little Buddies comes in. We aim to reconnect this broken cycle by transforming town waste into valuable agricultural resources. Let'...

The Importance of Soil Structure and How to Prevent Soil Compaction

Soil structure is an essential aspect of soil health that is often overlooked. Soil that is compacted or lacking in structure can have a negative impact on plant growth and nutrient uptake, as well as soil drainage and water retention. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of soil structure and provide tips for preventing soil compaction....

Recyclable vs Reusable: Which should you use?

As consumers, we're increasingly aware of the impact our choices have on the environment. When it comes to packaging, there's often a choice between recyclable or reusable containers. In this post, we'll explore the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision as you continue your waste reduction journey....

The Power of Vermicast: Boosting Root Mass for Healthier Plants

Vermicast, the nutrient-rich byproduct of vermicomposting, is an excellent soil amendment that can have a significant impact on plant growth and health. In fact, vermicast has been shown to boost root mass, leading to stronger, healthier plants with better resistance to disease and stress.But how exactly does vermicast work to boost root mass? The answer lies in the nutrients and microorganisms it contains. Vermicast is rich in beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, as ...

What are nematodes and why are they important?

Nematodes are fascinating creatures that are vital to soil health. They are one of the most abundant animals in the soil, with an estimated one million nematodes per square meter in agricultural soil. These tiny worms come in a wide range of sizes, from less than a millimeter to several centimeters long. They are so small that they cannot be seen by the naked eye, but they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the soil ecosystem....

Soil Exhaustion: The Causes and Solutions

Soil exhaustion is a major problem affecting agricultural productivity and sustainability. Also known as soil depletion, or soil fatigue, these terms refer to depletion of soil nutrients and organic matter, leading to decreased fertility and reduced plant growth. Soil exhaustion can occur due to several reasons, and addressing it requires a multi-pronged approach....

Protecting Soil from Extreme Weather Events Part 2: Drought

Climate change has brought with it an increase in extreme weather events such as droughts. These events can have a devastating impact on soil health, leading to erosion, nutrient loss, and reduced crop productivity. However we can reduces these risks by increasing the organic matter content of soil.Organic matter, including compost and vermicast, is a vital component of soil health, playing a key role in nutrient cycling, water retention, and soil structure. When soils have high organic matter c...

Protecting Soil from Extreme Weather Events Part 1: Storms

Climate change has brought with it an increase in extreme weather events such as storms. These events can have a devastating impact on soil health, leading to erosion, nutrient loss, and reduced crop productivity. However, there is a solution: increasing the organic matter content of soil can help protect against the impacts of extreme storms.Organic matter, including compost and vermicast, is a vital component of soil health, playing a key role in nutrient cycling, water retention, and soil str...

Composting in Temperate Climates: The 3 Most Effective Methods

Composting is an essential part of sustainable and regenerative agriculture, as it helps to reduce waste and produce nutrient-rich soil for crops. However, composting in temperate climates can be challenging due to the fluctuating temperature and weather conditions. Luckily, there are three effective methods for composting in temperate climates that can help to produce high-quality compost year-round....