CITY OF SASKATOON SUPPORTS THE DISHING THE DIRT BACKYARD COMPOSTING RESEARCH PROJECT

To improve understanding of backyard composting, the City of Saskatoon (City) has partnered with the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC) to launch a backyard composting research project, entitled “Dishing the Dirt.”  Not only does backyard composting divert waste from the landfill and reduce greenhouse gases, it also generates a valuable soil amendment that can be used on residents’ lawns and gardens to promote soil health and reduce watering needs.  One household alone can reduce 250-350 kilograms of waste every year by backyard composting.

Over the next year, 23 different composting systems will be tested by volunteers in Saskatoon and Regina to evaluate their level of ease, effectiveness and accessibility.  By studying these systems, the aim is to determine which systems work best for different types of households and to make it easier for residents who are interested in backyard composting.

“It is our hope that the results of the Dishing the Dirt program will help encourage backyard composting in Saskatoon,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives.  “The program also complements the City’s other composting efforts, which all play an important role in waste reduction and diversion.”

On Wednesday, June 4th, media was invited to attend the Dishing the Dirt launch to learn about the backyard composting systems, meet some of the research participants and meet with representatives from SWRC and the City.

“Compostable materials make up between 30 and 50 percent of the waste stream,” says Joanne Fedyk, SWRC Executive Director.  “We’re so pleased to have partners like the Cities of Saskatoon and Regina who are in support of increasing the number of backyard composters and diverting this valuable material from the waste stream.”

In addition to providing support for the Dishing the Dirt program, the City provides a number of composting services for residents:

Compost Bin Rebates:
The City has a limited number of $20 rebates available to Saskatoon residents who purchase a compost bin or rain barrel from a Saskatoon retailer in 2014.

Master Composters:
The City supported the SWRC’s Master Composter training again in 2014.  These trained Master Composters offer free home visits for residents who have questions or would like to start a backyard compost of their own.

Compost Depots:
Residents may take their leaves, grass, sod, topsoil, and non-elm branches, stumps and tree trimmings to the City’s compost depots free of charge.  Since 2006, the compost depots have generated more than 16,000 cubic metres of Class A compost.  This has increased landfill diversion by nearly 15 percent over the last seven years and saved the Saskatoon Landfill approximately 400,000 cubic metres of airspace.  In 2013 alone, 21,820 tonnes of materials were accepted at the City compost depots (from residential and commercial haulers).  Composting this material instead of taking it to the landfill reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 5,000 tonnes CO2e.

Compost Sale Saturdays:
Residents may purchase compost and mulch (woodchips) for their lawns and gardens during Compost Sale Saturdays.  The sales have been very popular; the three spring sales brought in hundreds of residents.  The next events are planned for the fall.

Be Water Wise:
The City’s Be Water Wise campaign encourages residents to reduce water use in their homes and yards.  Using compost and mulch conserves water and keeps our lawns and gardens healthy.  For details and water conservation tips, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “B” for “Be Water Wise”.

Greet Cart Collection Program:
The Green Cart Collection Program was expanded in 2014.  Currently, it services over 3,550 residents.  Service includes bi-weekly pickup of unbagged leaves, grass clippings and non-woody yard vegetation from early May until early November.

Food Waste Collection Program:
The City is examining options and next steps for developing a food-waste collection program for residents.

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