 | Events |  |
| Resources | |
|  | Recycling News
Twelve Months of Organics Under our Belts!
Time flies when you're having fun! Well all right, maybe "fun" is stretching it a bit. Still, one successful year of an organics collection pilot here in Peterborough has passed in the blink of an eye. Residents in the pilot can put out all food waste (including meat and dairy products), non-recyclable paper (including tissues, paper towel and frozen food cartons), and pet waste (including kitty litter) and it is picked up with the green waste and composted. Keeping all organics out of the landfill is important to minimize the environmental impact of the landfill and makes a terrific product that benefits lawns and gardens. During the course of the pilot, some interesting observations have come to light:
- many people in Peterborough (both in- and outside the pilot area) are eager to see the separate collection and processing of organics established as a permanent part of the City's waste collection system;
- food waste and other organic materials CAN be kept separate from garbage successfully, with no increase in odours or other problems, provided suitable containers and liners are utilized;
- 1 tonne of household organic wastes can be effectively kept out of the landfill every week from just 600 households - imagine the results when the entire city is involved!;
- successful composting of food waste is easy to do using low-cost, low technology methods, right here in Peterborough.
Although participation in the organics pilot hasn't quite reached the levels we hoped for, there is a large core of loyal participants who faithfully put their organics bin to the curb every week or two. These enthusiastic individuals make all the hard work and development for this venture worthwhile. Sincere thanks go out to these folks (you know who you are!) for the very important contribution you have made in the early development of this program. It is only when we receive good, constructive feedback from those most impacted that we can determine the most efficient and convenient means of setting up new programs.
Preliminary results point to a smaller curbside bin being the container of choice, for several reasons: it's easy to clean out, it's convenient to store, and its limited size encourages people to set the bin out frequently, thus reducing odours. A 35-45 litre container appears to be sufficient for almost any sized family, provided yard wastes are handled separately (ie using the current system of paper bags or labeled refuse cans).
Collection of organics will continue in the pilot area as waste management staff make preparations to expand the program City-wide over the coming months. An open house will be held in the fall so residents can see firsthand the types of containers piloted, the results from the pilot and the ideas for expanding the program City-wide. Call the Waste Reduction Office at 742-7777 Ext 1725 or 1724 for more information.
|
