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Compost Coaching Program: Teaching Backyard Composting to Reduce Organics in the Waste Stream
Compost Coaching Program: Teaching Backyard Composting to Reduce Organics in the Waste Stream
Elizabeth Leboe, Community Programs Coordinator, North Shore Recycling Program, North Vancouver, BC
This eSession will discuss the new Compost Coaching Program developed and implemented by the North Shore Recycling Program of North Vancouver, BC. The goal of the program is to reduce the tonnage of garbage and yard trimmings collected curbside, leading to a savings in garbage and organics tipping fees.
Backyard composting is one of those activities that is often straight-forward and problem-free but can turn into a stinky mess without proper care and feeding. Designed for everyone from the beginner to the seasoned pro, the Compost Coaching Program provides an opportunity for North Shore residents to have a backyard composting expert come to their homes to help set up a new bin or troubleshoot an existing bin and to reveal the secrets of creating terrific compost. The Compost Coaching Sessions are free to North Shore Residents and are approximately 30-45 minutes in length.
The program has its origins in a 2011 North Shore Recycling Program research study that estimated that each year in North and West Vancouver, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes of organic waste from single-family homes is generated but never placed curbside for municipal collection and disposal due to backyard composting.
Without backyard composting, it was estimated that North Shore municipalities would require an additional 1,500 truck trips to the North Shore Transfer Station for an additional cost of approximately $900,000 in tipping fees each year.
Study results also showed that with training, households composted over 25% more each year than households that did not receive any compost coaching.
The presentation will discuss the background factors that led to developing the Compost Coaching Program, the results of the pilot program, the roll-out of the program, and what results have been achieved thus far.
Additional information may be found on the North Shore Recycling Program website at www.coaching.northshorerecycling.ca
For registrations or more information, please click here.