How do I use my Green Cart and kitchen catcher? |
Follow these tips for separating food scraps and using your green cart:
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Use a kitchen catcher or reuse any container with a lid (like an ice cream bucket) to store food scraps until you throw them in your green cart.
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You can control odours and keep your kitchen catcher clean by using a BPI-certified compostable bag or paper bag, or follow this link to see a quick video showing how to fold a newspaper liner for your kitchen pail.
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Food scraps can be placed in the cart loose. Don’t pack materials in too tightly.
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During the winter, place newspaper or cardboard at the bottom of the cart to help absorb moisture and prevent food from freezing to the bottom.
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Routinely rinse out your kitchen pail with soap and water to prevent odours.
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How do I set out my Organic Waste? |
| Understanding how to set your curbside collection cart out and when to bring it in helps us run a smooth and efficient program. Follow these easy steps for proper cart placement. 1) Fill it – Organics can be placed directly in the green cart or in a paper/BPI-certified bag to help reduce odours and deter wildlife. Remember not to overfill your cart, material should be placed in loosely. 2) Space it – Carts should be 0.5m from curb, and at least 1.5 meters from any objects like a fence, garage, or vehicle so the mechanical truck arms can safely grab them. Check the placement guide for your address. 3) Park it – Have your cart out by 7:00 am on your collection day. 4) Take it – Be sure to return your cart to your property after pickup. Each cart is specifically assigned to your address and marked with a serial number on the side. Please make a note of it in the event it is lost or damaged and requires repairs. |
Why Compost? What are the benefits of the Green Cart? |
| Approximately 40% of all material that ends up in the landfill could be composted. When you separate organic materials from your garbage, you help reduce your own carbon footprint, extend the life of the landfill, and conserve valuable resources. Reduces Environmental Impacts
- Composting diverts 1,000 tonnes of organics annually that would otherwise end up in the landfill, therefore helping to extend its lifespan
- Prevents the natural moisture in food from turning into landfill leachate as it moves through the rest of the waste
Reduces Carbon Footprint
- Reduces greenhouse gases by trapping carbon, reducing methane generation and converting organics into a stable form of carbon
- The compost produced can be used for a wide array of applications as the Solid Waste Facility, mainly as cover soil to place over the landfill cells. Research has shown that compost makes for an excellent cover for landfills due to its ability to absorb methane emissions
When organics like food scraps and leaf and yard waste are composted we can turn what would otherwise be waste it into a useable product while also reducing the cost of managing the landfill. It’s win-win! |
What if I already use a Backyard Composter? |
| That’s great! The city’s goal is to divert organics from landfilling, and backyard composting is a great way to achieve this on a personal scale. However, there are many items that can go in your green cart that wouldn’t be suitable for your backyard composter, so it still can be a viable option in Yellowknife’s waste management toolkit. For example, small bones, meat, eggshells, dairy products, greasy pizza boxes, and small amounts of oil are all okay to put in your green cart. |
How do I prevent organics from freezing inside my cart? |
| During the colder months, you can line the inside of the cart with a paper bag or place a greasy pizza box at the bottom of the cart to help absorb any moisture and help prevent food from freezing to the bottom.
- Don’t pack materials in too tightly
- Keep outdoors, somewhere shady, to help prevent the freeze thaw cycle
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Why can’t I put cat litter and dog waste in my green cart? |
| Although some larger municipalities may accept these materials, Yellowknife’s compost facility does not have the necessary equipment to handle them. |
I live in an apartment/condominium, when will I receive organic waste disposal? |
| Bringing organics collection to your multi-family residence is as straightforward as renting and siting an organics bin or dumpster from a private waste hauler in town. By separating out foodstuffs from the regular waste, it gives residents and businesses access to a sustainable method of reducing their waste, and will also reduce the cost of waste collection services. It’s a priority of the city to see more organics collection in apartments, condos and multi-family units to help boost the diversion rate. We would be happy to lend assistance with getting the appropriate sized container set up and sited, as well as assisting tenants and building managers with the new amenity by providing kitchen catchers to each unit and organizing a compost education session. For more info, please reach out to sustainability@yellowknife.ca to get the ball rolling on your building's organics collection! |
What happens to my compost once it’s collected? |
| Organic waste from around town is collected and brought to the Compost facility, located at the SWF. Once there, it is inspected for contamination and then mixed with a blend of carbon-rich amendments, including shredded cardboard, brush, woodchips, and leaf and yard waste. The material is then arranged into large windrows where it will undergo a slow process of breaking down into an inert soil-like substance. Bacteria and fungi inside the windrow feed off the energy in the food scraps, which heats up the pile. By managing the water and oxygen levels in the windrow, staff ensure that they reach a temperature of 55°-70°C for at least two weeks to eliminate the pathogens within the waste. After going through the heating process, the bacterial processes will slow down and the windrow will start to cool off as it begins the curing process. It is then screened and moved to a curing area to continue the process (which lasts from 6-12 months). Samples are then collected for labratory analysis. |
What will be done with the compost? Will it be available for residents? |
| Municipal composting is a key part of proper waste management, but the end product may vary in quality at times. The regulations set out by the CCME for heavy metal concentrations and sharp objects must be met in order to distribute it for public use. The compost facility staff routinely test batches of finished compost for compliance with these regulations. When the end product isn't approved for public usage, the facility is able to find an appropriate use on site. Other potential applications of the municipal organics program include: • Landfill bio-cover (Compost can be integrated into landfill cover systems and has successfully been used as part of methaneoxidation cover systems that passively treat landfill gas emissions). • Ecological restoration • Mine reclamation • Contaminated site remediation • Landfill fire control |
If I have questions about the compost program who can I reach out to? |
| For all compost related inquiries, please reach out to sustainability@yellowknife.ca |
