Composting
Feed the Land, Not the Landfill!
Separating your household waste into garbage, recycling and organics becomes second nature with practice, and has long-term benefits.
Why do we separate our household waste?
There are a few reasons, but a big one is that landfills have a life expectancy - when they get full, they're done. Building a new landfill is expensive, not to mention the challenge of finding a new location.
By separating your household waste, your recyclables and organics are processed in different facilities and don't take up valuable landfill space.
Keeping organic material out of landfills also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and leachate (garbage goo). It's a win-win.
How do I separate my organics?
The good news is that once you start, it becomes second nature. Here's what you do:
- Get an organics bin - it can be anything rigid with a lid. A bucket, a locking green bin, it's up to you. Places like Canadian Tire, Walmart, or hardware stores have good options.
- Review what can go in your organics bin and what should stay out.
- Put your organic waste in the bin!
- Some people keep a smaller bucket in their kitchen and empty it into their curbside bin as they need. It's even easier if you line your kitchen bucket with a compostable bag (don't use plastic or biodegradable bags, it has to be compostable).
- Put your curbside organics bin out every week.
- Help us make better compost.
The result? Your garbage output is smaller, doesn't smell as bad, and you're helping save space in our landfill, not to mention reducing leachate and green house gases. Landfills are responsible for a whopping 17% of methane emissions in Canada.
Composting at Home
Organic materials, like food scraps and yard waste (leaves, grass, trimmings, etc.) can be turned into an incredibly valuable resource for your home: compost. Use as a rich garden fertilizer or as a cover layer for other projects, all while keeping organic material out of the landfill.