Composting

Why collect organics?

In 2022 waste audits were conducted in several locations across the SLRD. Food scraps and organics made up;

27.6% at the Gold Bridge Transfer Station;
28.1% of the Lillooet Landfill & Recycling Centre Residential Drop-offs;
17% of the Lillooet Landfill & Recycling Centre Commercial Drop-offs;
39.2% of the Lillooet Curbside Collection;
38.3% at the Pemberton Transfer Station (2020 data);
28.5% of the Britannia Beach Curbside Collection;
And 29.6% in Furry Creek Curbside Collection;

of the waste destined for landfill. The percentage listed above does not include food-soiled paper which is compostable and increases the total compostable percentage.

This is a missed opportunity to keep valuable nutrients in our local economy. Produce from the farm should end up back at the farm as compost.

Composting is the art of turning food scraps, yard waste and other organic materials into nutrient-rich soil, also known as "Nutrient Recycling". A healthy combination of heat, oxygen, moisture, naturally occurring micro-organisms and food scraps will create productive soil and can reduce the waste sent to the landfill.

Not only is it important to close the loop on composting to keep the nutrients in our economy, the decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces a gas which is composed primarily of methane, a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change¹.

Methane has 86 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period².
Municipal solid waste landfills are responsible for about 23% of Canada’s methane emissions².

Summary:
•   Reduce methane gas emissions. By 2030, increased diversion alone could reduce landfill methane emissions by 3 Mt CO2 eq ².
•   Preserve the capacity of our landfills.
•   Food scraps are a valuable resource. According to the Compost Council of Canada, globally, composting recurrently recycles 1 million tonnes of plant macronutrients, equivalent to 1.1 billion a year³.

Cited from:
1.   Landfills - Managing and Reducing Waste (ec.gc.ca)
2.   Reducing methane emissions from Canada’s municipal solid waste landfills: discussion paper - Canada.ca
3.   Compost Week • The Compost Council of Canada

Food Scraps and Organics Collection in the SLRD

Food scraps collection is now available at all depots in Whistler, Pemberton and Squamish. Additionally, food scraps collection is available through curbside collection for the communities of Squamish, Britannia Beach and Furry Creek (www.slrd.bc.ca/lovethisplace/aread for more information and collection schedule) .

Organics collected through these municipal programs are brought to the composting facilities operated by either the Resort Municipality of Whistler or Sea to Sky Soils. Print off the guide below to easily remember what is accepted for composting at these commercial operations.

Printable version

Collecting organics in the kitchen:

If you are new to composting food scraps, remember the contents are not changing, only where it goes. You are not undertaking the composting itself. You are only committing to separating your organic scraps from the rest of your waste to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills but also to contribute to enriching our local soils.

Consider these suggestions:

We recommend having a countertop container, also known as a kitchen catcher, for convenience when you are cooking and to avoid opening the larger container under your sink more often than necessary.

Line it: You can line your kitchen catcher with newspapers or a paper bag. Although not preferred if a compostable bag must be used make sure they are labeled ASTM D6400 certified.

Layer or wrap it: Before putting your peels and scraps in the kitchen catcher, make a layer with ripped paper or food-soiled cardboard (like a pizza box) or scrape everything from your cutting board onto multiple sheets of newspaper and ball them around your scraps before putting it in the bin.

Food scraps should be separated from items such as packaging, stickers and elastics.

What goes in:

Meat, fish, bones
Food soiled paper (napkins, pizza boxes, paper bags)
Fruit & vegetable scraps
Food leftovers, plate scrapings
Dairy products
Eggshells
Bread, cereal, grains
Baked goods, candies, herbs and spices
Coffee filters, grounds
Nuts and shells
Paper tea bags (can you rip it?)
Solidified fats and grease
Houseplants, cuts and dried flowers

What stays out:

Packaging (recycle)
Plastic or compostable utensils (garbage)
Plastic or compostable take-out containers (garbage)
Plastic or compostable cups (garbage)
Invasive species (bag and garbage)
Pet waste (garbage)
Stickers (garbage)
Diapers and baby wipes (garbage)
Sanitary hygiene products (garbage)
Soil and rocks *

*For more information on where to take these items see Yard Waste.

Prevent or manage smells:

Wrapping or creating layers is your first defence against smells.
Freeze meat and fish until you are ready to make the trip to the Transfer Station (especially when the weather is warmer).
Sprinkle with baking soda.
Rinse your kitchen catcher and compost bin every time you empty them. Make sure it is dry before you close the lid or before you start using it. If smell persists, spray bottom with vinegar.
Some kitchen catchers are dishwasher-friendly.

Prevent insects:

Insects require contact with the food scraps to lay larvae, keep the lid closed and ensure it closes tightly preventing them access.
Sprinkle with baking soda, vinegar and salt to manage maggots if they are present.

Storage tips:

Most people keep their kitchen catcher and food scraps bin under their kitchen sink. Remember we live in bear country, waste of any kind cannot be left outdoors unless it is in a bear-resistant container, secured by chains or in a shed.

For more information visit: Managing Wildlife Attractants | Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (slrd.bc.ca)

Winter considerations:

If your secure storage space is not heated, layer the bottom and sides of the container with cardboard or paper to avoid contents freezing to the bottom.
Do not compact, as contents will not completely empty.
Create layers between wet material to avoid the whole mass from freezing into a block.Lining with paper really works! When you are at the grocery store, pick up a local newspaper, get informed on what is happening in your community and surrounding area. Save the newspaper, I store mine beside my kitchen catcher, you will always have newspaper on hand to line your bin and it did not cost you anything.

5-gallon bucket trick

I use my kitchen catcher when I am prepping food, when it is full I empty it in a 5-gallon bucket. The bucket is equipped with a food-safe twist lid that has several gaskets to keep in odours. The lid was purchased separately from the bucket (sold at most hardware stores). I only have to go to the Transfer Station every 2 to 3 weeks, by that time my recycling and deposit beverage containers need to be dropped off regardless.

Lining with paper really does work! This picture shows what was left after emptying the contents at the Transfer Station. Yes, it was full before being emptied. A quick rinse and a couple of sprays with vinegar I keep on hand to deodorize and this bucket is ready to be used again.