Dufferin County Celebrate Compost Awareness Week May 7 to 13

Celebrate Compost Awareness Week May 7 to 13

May 5th, 2023
By mball

May 7 to 13, 2023 is International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), an education initiative celebrated in countries around the world to raise public awareness on why we all should be composting our organics and using compost.

Compost is a dark, earthy substance that looks, feels and smells like very rich soil. It is a valuable soil conditioner that improves soil structure, holds moisture and adds important nutrients.

“Compost is a renewable resource that closes the loop from your kitchen to the garden,” says Melissa Kovacs-Reid, Manager, Waste Services, Dufferin County. “Collecting food waste and other compostable materials reduces the amount of household garbage we dispose of in landfill, and compostable material can be converted into a nutrient rich soil additive that can be applied to lawns, gardens and houseplants. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane. Compost has so many benefits for our households and our environment!”

Here are few ways that Dufferin County residents can participate in Compost Awareness Week:

  • Use your Green Bin! Household organics, such as inedible food waste (peels, egg shells, apple cores, etc.) and soiled paper products including paper towel, napkins and tissues belong in the Green Bin. Once collected at the curb, this material is taken to a composting facility and turned into compost. Don’t have a Green Bin? Contact Dufferin Waste at 519.941.2816 ext. 2620 to pick one up!
  • Make Your Own Compost! Get a backyard composter to make your own compost at home. Backyard composters are available to purchase for $35 from the County. Contact Dufferin Waste to learn more. And check out the Climate Hub to learn more about backyard composting!
  • Attend a Compost Give Away Day! If you participate in the Green Bin and Yard Waste programs, enjoy the end result by getting free compost! Your garden will thank you. The next two events will take place on May 6. Click here for times, locations, guidelines, and additional events in May!
  • Stay in touch! Follow Dufferin Waste on Facebook and Twitter and download the free Dufferin Waste app on your Apple or Android device. The app is a great tool to help you determine what should be composted!

Learn more about composting and all things waste at www.dufferincounty.ca.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca