Composting 101

We've jumped on the composting bandwagon.  We are now in our second week of composting and it has been very easy and going great. If you live in Whistler or Squamish it's really easy to do and here's why!

In the Sea to Sky we aren't allowed to have backyard composting because of bear issues. I may tackle backyard composting at a later date but for now it would be really great to just convert a few more locals into taking part in the organics program we currently have. This is what you need to get started...

1. A separate container or garbage can.

Yup thats it! You don't even need a bag for it. (Although if you do decide you want to use a bag make sure you get bags that are Compostable NOT Biodegradable.) There's a difference and Carney's does not accept the latter. You can then take your bin to Function or Nesters where there is an Organics bin. If you are in Squamish the Carney's yard is located on Queensway basically halfway between Walmart and Tim Hortons.

This is what you can return for composting in our area:

• Fruits, vegetables, plant stalks, peelings
• All food scraps, bones, meat, fish, dairy, nuts, bakery discards, nuts, pasta, cereal, sauces
• Flowers and houseplants
• Coffee ground with filter and tea bags          
• Certified compostable bags and containers
• Wood stir sticks
• Soiled paper napkins
• Small household volumes of clean sawdust, woodchips, and shavings (no cedar)

Here's a photo of what we started to do for composting although you will notice that the smaller bin is for composting and we are finding out that it is filling up faster than our bigger garbage can. Jeff made this handy slider drawer with some extra wood that was around. You can also buy that sort of thing at Home Depot or Canadian Tire.

Ok now get composting! I swear it's really easy, will make you feel good for doing something and I stress again... it's really easy!

If you don't live in the Sea to Sky then I would suggest either contacted your local landfill to see if they have a composting program (this is what Jeff originally did and I have to give him all the credit for starting us on this program) or Carney's has a guide to home composting that you can even have inside if you have a good area for it: http://www.carneyswaste.com/how_to_go_green/worm_composting.html

And lastly to the sweet, caring individual who decided to throw carpet, clothes and other trash items in the Squamish compost bin today. You're a douche. That is all.