Organic Waste Reduction and Composting
…because a rind is a terrible thing to waste!
What is Organic Waste?
Organic waste is waste that decomposes, including food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste. Food waste can include solid, semisolid, and liquid food, such as fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, bones, poultry, seafood, bread, rice, pasta, oils, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, cut flowers, herbs, and any other putrescible material produced from human or animal food production, preparation, and consumption activities. Food waste includes food-soiled paper including napkins, paper towels, tissues, egg cartons, and some paper plates and cups.
Last resort, composting.
Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic wastes! Compost is the finely decomposed remains of animals and plants commonly used as a soil amendment or fertilizer. It is a natural product of great value! It can be used as mulch, but not all mulches are compost. Mulches can be rocks, cloth, plastic, or almost any material that helps suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Backyard Composting
Check out the Backyard Composting booklet to find out how to build your own compost pile, or view our worm composting brochure. Book a Composting Workshop by calling 528-1103 or email the Agency.
Why compost?
• Conserve space in the landfill for other non-recyclable material
• Help prevent pollution
• Return vital nutrients back to the soil
• Help remediate contaminated soil
• Reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides
• Eliminate much of the stink from your trash can by diverting food
Find this information and more at the US EPA Composting for Facilities website.
What is vermicomposting?
Vermicomposting is a natural process of using earthworms (and associated micro-organisms) to break down organic waste and convert it into a rich material loaded with plant nutrients called worm castings. This dramatically speeds up the composting process and boosts the nutrient content of the end product.
What is Grasscycling?
Grasscycling is a natural process allowing grass clipping to remain on the lawn. By staying put, clipped grass blades encourage a healthy lawn by adding valuable nitrogen to the soil. For best results, use a mulching mower and mow less than 1/3 the height of the grass.