Home Solid Waste Management Composting

Composting

Important Notice to Residents Regarding Curbside Green Cart Collection!

Green Cart Notice (32 kB)

 

Composting is nature's way of recycling organic matter and nutrients back into the soil for use by new and growing plants. Food scraps, yard waste and other organic materials are broken down with the help of micro-organisms and turned into compost, a rich soil amendment.

30-50% of household waste can be recycled through composting programs!

composting

Colchester County promotes 2 types of composting: curbside composting and backyard composting. Both types of composting help to extend the life of landfills, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, protect groundwater and streams, and turn waste into a valuable resource.

Curbside Composting

Your curbside green cart is meant for the disposal of organic material only. All residents with green carts are provided with mini-bins for the collection of kitchen waste. Mini-bins should be emptied into your curbside green carts on a regular basis. Green carts are collected every second week in conjunction with garbage.

Curbside

What's In

  • vegetables, fruit and peelings
  • coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
  • table scraps, including meat, bones, fish
  • pasta
  • solid dairy products
  • waste paper towels, tissue, napkins
  • paper fast food containers (ie pizza boxes)
  • paper plates & cups
  • floor sweepings
  • grass, leaves & twigs
  • pet waste
  • sawdust, shavings & woodchips

What's Out

  • ashes and cigarette butts
  • foil, stretch wrap
  • diapers or feminine hygiene products
  • plastic bags (ie kitchen catchers)
  • compostable/biodegradable bags
  • metal
  • glass
  • plastics
  • wood thicker than your thumb

Backyard Composting

Organic materials have been banned from landfill since 1997. To assist residents who do not have access to curbside composting, the Municipality promotes the use of backyard composters. Backyard composters do not have to be complicated. You may decide to compost using an open pile, to construct a basic wooden bin yourself or you may prefer to purchase a backyard composter.

The Municipality has backyard “Earth Machines” available for sale at a price of $30.00. These can be purchased at the Public Works Office at the Municipal Building on the corner of Church and Queen.

For more detailed information on how to set up your own backyard composting system, call the Colchester Waste Reduction Helpline at 895-4777.

Backyard

What's In

  • vegetables, fruit and peelings
  • coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
  • baked goods, including bread
  • pasta
  • rice and other grains
  • waste paper towels, tissue, napkins
  • egg shells
  • shredded paper (ie newspaper)
  • leaves and grass clippings
  • weeds
  • brush (break into smaller pieces)
  • plants, plant trimmings (non-diseased)

What's Out

  • all meat, including chicken, fish & shellfish bones
  • fat, grease, oils
  • all dairy products, including cheese
  • plastic bags (ie kitchen catchers)
  • weeds that have gone to seed
  • diseased plants
  • large branches, roots, etc.
  • dog and cat waste
  • ashes and cigarette butts

2010 Compost Giveaway!

Our annual compost giveaway will take place May 1st to 8th, 2010.  This giveaway entitles each household within the County to 100 kg of free compost. Bags are provided so all you need to bring is shovels and appropriate footwear. Remember: First come first serve. Supplies may be limited. Look for more details in your new collection schedule package, or call the Colchester Waste Reduction Helpline at 895-4777.

Compost can be purchased year-round at $33.90/tonne or $2.00/bag (taxes included).

Important Notice: There is no compost available on site until further notice.

New to the Area?

If you are new to the green bin serviced areas of the County or are building a new house, we can deliver a green cart and mini-bin to your house! Call 895-4777 and leave your name, address and phone number. Damaged or lost carts and mini-bins can be replaced by calling the helpline at 895-4777. The replacement fee for a cart is $80.00 and the fee to replace a mini bin is $6.00.

Call the Colchester Waste Reduction Helpline for helpful composting tips! 895-4777

Remember: Composting is Recycling too!