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Composting

Composting might be the best example of a truly circular system at work. Composting is the natural breakdown of organic material (kitchen and yard materials) by micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi), insects and worms. The material produced, (compost) is a dark, crumbly, earthy smelling material that is great for your garden! 

Different Composting Methods

  • Backyard Composting - adding Greens (nitrogen rich organic waste) and Browns (carbon rich yard waste) to a compost bin. The materials are broken down by naturally occurring microbes. There are different styles of bins to suit your needs!

  • Vermicomposting or Worm-Composting - adding kitchen scraps to a bin containing worms. The worms break down the organic matter and the result (worm castings) produces incredibly fertile compost. 

How Can I Get a Backyard Composter?

City of London residents can purchase from an EnviroDepot for $35 each (taxes included).  There are four different units available, based on manufacturer availability.  Click here to see the selection of backyard composters and get started!

What Can I Do with Organic Waste?

One shift we need to make together is to treat organic materials (like fruit and vegetable peelings, uneaten fruits and vegetables, etc.) not as waste, but as a resource. Organic waste has some incredible uses that can help us transition to a circular economy, one where we make use of resources in the cycle before discarding them as waste. Here’s what we can do with organic waste:

  • Your backyard compost can be used as natural fertilizer for your garden or a community garden. 
  • See how your compost can be used for urban agriculture at home here.
  • Get local. Ask your local farms, restaurants, and neighbours if they can make use of your organic waste. Chances are, they’d be able to make use of it!
  • At a larger scale (Industrial, Commercial, or Institutional), compost can be used by farms, plant nurseries, garden centres, and grocery stores. 
  • Regrowing your food scraps instead of putting it in the compost bin. Make a garden with your kitchen scraps! This is a great family-friendly activity to watch your food grow in water! 

Image: a black rotating compost bin