Tauranga City Council's solid waste team are getting down and dirty this week as part of International Composting Awareness Week.

The week runs from May 2 to 8, with the team organising a range of tours and workshops aimed at giving residents an understanding of how easy composting and worm farming can be.

Research shows that organic materials make up the largest proportion of waste going to Bay of Plenty landfills, and landfills around the country. Organic material includes garden waste, kitchen food scraps and lawn clippings.

When landfilled, this material creates methane gas and leachate which cause environmental harm.

Composting food and garden waste is an easy and sustainable way for people to help protect the environment by reducing the amount of rubbish they are sending to landfill.

The activities that are on offer are free and highlights include visits to commercial composting operators and schools which manage their grounds with compost made on site, DIY compost building workshops and presentations from a variety of speakers. For a complete list of events and more information, visit the Tauranga City Council website, www.tauranga.govt.nz