New Community Composting Demonstration Program Launched in Holyrood

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) today officially launched a new Community Composting Demonstration Program for the province that provides communities with an easy and effective means to divert organic waste from landfills.

The launch took place in Holyrood, the first community to participate in the program. On hand for the event at the new community composting site were the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation; the Chief Executive Officer of MMSB, Leigh Puddester; and, Holyrood Mayor Gary Goobie.

�Holyrood and other communities with community composting programs can decrease the cost of transportation and disposal of their waste at regional facilities, and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions and leachate associated with organic waste management,� said Minister Johnson. �Composting is very easy to do and is one more measure we can implement as we move toward establishing a modern waste management system.�

Under the new program, MMSB will provide select communities with a $10,000 initial capital investment to help set up the program, provide training for staff and assist with local promotional efforts. The program is being funded through the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund. By establishing these sites at select locations throughout the province, MMSB hopes to prove the viability of community composting in the various areas and climates of the province. A best practices manual will be developed to help other communities throughout the province develop and implement their own community composting programs.

Mr. Puddester said the Community Composting Demonstration Program will build on the success of MMSB�s 2005 Residential Backyard Composting Program. That program involved the sale of 20,000 subsidized compost bins and a major public awareness campaign to increase backyard composting in the province.

�By implementing community composting programs throughout the province, we hope to encourage those individuals that may not already compost in their own backyards to avail of this free community drop-off service,� said Mr. Puddester. �The Residential Backyard Composting Program was an overwhelming success, and we applaud all residents who continue to take action and compost at home. Developing a new Community Composting Demonstration Program was the obvious and important next step, as it will provide another effective and convenient way to help communities participate in this important waste diversion activity and make our province greener.�

�Environmental stewardship is a part of the community fabric of Holyrood, and this program will certainly help them with their green efforts,� said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, MHA for Harbour Main. �Initiatives like this one not only bring the community together, but also promote valuable environmental education at the same time.�

Mayor Goobie stated that Holyrood is pleased to be one of the first communities to participate in MMSB�s Community Composting Demonstration Program.

�The Town of Holyrood thanks the MMSB for its investment,� said Mayor Goobie. �Our residents understand and are committed to reducing the amount of waste we send to the landfill, and MMSB�s Community Composting Demonstration Program will help us achieve greater waste reduction.�

The Town of Holyrood will be using the finished compost on local parks and green spaces throughout the community. Once finished compost is available, residents will be able to avail of it free-of-charge.

Community composting utilizes low-tech composting methods such as an open air windrow (long triangulated piles of organic material that are turned on regular intervals) to compost leaf, yard and household organics. Household organics include fruit and vegetables peels; coffee grounds and filters; rice and other grains; and egg shells � items that are typically acceptable in a backyard composter. Items that are not accepted include fat, grease and oil; all meat products including bones; all dairy products; and fish and shellfish.

Organic waste accounts for 30 per cent of all waste generated in Newfoundland and Labrador. It produces methane gas when buried in a landfill and can create leachate which can seep out of landfills and potentially pollute our soil and water. Besides keeping waste out of our landfills, composting also creates a nutrient-rich organic material that can be used as fertilizer to enhance and beautify gardens and lawns.

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2009 10 20                                                    3:10 p.m.