INCREASING BACKYARD AND COMMUNITY COMPOSTING PARTICIPATION IN YOUR MUNICIPALITY

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Ambrose Blake
6 years ago
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1 INCREASING BACKYARD AND COMMUNITY COMPOSTING PARTICIPATION IN YOUR MUNICIPALITY

2 Presentation Overview Who is Green Action Centre How many of us compost? Composting options for municipalities Why aren t some people backyard composting? Composter type Ways to increase backyard composting Effective programs (schools, Master Composter)

3 Non-profit, non-governmental hub for greener living. We encourage practical green solutions for homeowners, workplaces, schools and communities Supported by donations, grants, sponsors, and government

4 Located in the EcoCentre, 3rd Floor, 303 Portage Ave (Mountain Equipment Coop) Information Line: Outside of Winnipeg:

5 WWW. GREENACTI ONCENTRE. CA

6 Outreach We are also supported by a membership Membership is important and it is free! Stay informed! Help us extend our outreach!

7 Composting Services Composting information (website, help line) Provide composting advice, referrals Composting workshops Display for events Templates for signage (workplaces, demonstration sites) International Compost Awareness Week Promotion Master Composter Training Program and Volunteer Network

8 What s the composting rate? What s the household composting rate in Canada? 30% in Manitoba? 23% (one of the lowest), Quebec with 14% highest rates in Canada? PEI 92% NS 71% why this difference? legislation, curbside collection

shared compost bin among a group or community members - community garden - school,

9 Composting program options for municipality Small-scale/on-site Backyard composting households composting at home, also includes indoor vermicomposting Community composting shared compost bin among a group or community members - community garden - school, workplace, church etc Large-scale Centralized composting/organics curbside pick-up/drop-off sites

10 Why do some people don t backyard compost? Lack of How-to Compost Education Lack of Bin No space Concerns about odours, attracting pests No interest No time/too much work Have access to organics curbside collection

11 Composter Types Dedicated Composter Borderline Composter Unlikely Composter

12 Dedicated Composter Ecologically minded Wants to minimize waste Will go out of their way to compost Enjoys gardening Wants finished compost

13 Borderline Composter Currently recycling and feels pressure to do more Prodded by children or others Feels guilty Economically minded Needs it to be convenient

14 Unlikely Composter Not concerned about amount of garbage they produce May think composting is unpleasant and unsightly Have concerns with germs, cleanliness Passive or follower

15 Why choose backyard composting education program? Better option for environment no or little outside energy required no CO2 emissions (no transportation of waste) Cheaper Simple Households more in touch with natural organics cycle sees results first-hand Households gets compost they produce

16 Why choose large-scale composting program? Can collect more (meat, dairy, food scrapings, extra yard waste etc ) Allows composting for: those who don t want to backyard compost apartment dwellers those who have small yards downside: costs more, CO2 emissions, less high quality end product

the solution for small towns and rural areas (those who need

17 Which program should you choose? Do both! (If you can afford it curbside collection) Depots might be the solution for small towns and rural areas (those who need to bring garbage themselves to the landfill) Start with depots for leaf and yard waste

18 Why do some people don t backyard compost? Lack of How-to Compost Education Lack of Bin No space Concerns about odours, attracting pests No interest No time/too much work Have access to organics curbside collection

19 Ways to increase how-to compost education Provide resources (brochures), website links Offer free composting workshops Education in schools School-wide composting Offer a Master Composter Course

20 School-wide composting Start good habits young Children influence and teach parents, so might start at home Make a difference in waste going to landfill Cheap and easy to start Need dedicated leaders to oversee program

21 Master Composter Program Train-the-trainer course Spreads the word on composting Learn the how-to s of composting and outreach skills Dedicate 30 hours of volunteer work Great return for your investment

22 Ways to get bins out there! Offer free compost bins Offer subsidised bins Compost bin sales Buy from municipal office Discounts at garden centres

23 Options for no space Community drop-off sites Compost pick-up service (community sites)

24 Concerns about pest, odours Both are addressed through education Pest-resistant bins Pest-proofing plans (hardware cloth) Sometimes challenge to prevent them (bears, racoons etc) option: vermicomposting

25 Community composting Just like curbside, it allows composting for: those who don t want to backyard compost apartment dwellers those who have small yards those who have too much yard waste To function, need leaders

26 Industrial indoor composters Somat Unit

27 Concluding words Backyard and community composting programs are complimentary to large-scale composting They are economical Not everyone will be on board Education and convenience are key! Contact Green Action Centre The more options the better!

28 Questions? Thank you!

Composting in West Broadway

Composting in West Broadway 2012-2013 Report Prepared by: Bowen Smyth, Compost Coordinator Published: October 31 st, 2013 Table of Contents Composting in West Broadway: Goals & Achievements 3 Training