When it comes to sustainability, few things are as easy and impactful as composting. Turning food scraps, yard waste, and organic materials into nutrient-rich soil not only benefits the garden, but also helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes the amount of waste being sent to landfills. It’s a low-effort way to make a positive impact—right in your own backyard.
Why does composting matter?
Every day, households across Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley produce food scraps, yard trimmings, and other biodegradable waste. Unfortunately, these materials often end up in landfills where they take up valuable space, decompose under non-ideal conditions, and release a highly potent greenhouse gas known as methane. Research has linked methane to numerous environmental issues, including climate change, and the gas is a precursor to ground-level ozone which can damage crops and cause respiratory illness.
When these same materials are composted, however, they’re able to break down naturally with ample airflow and moisture, creating a highly beneficial nutrient-rich soil that turns waste into a valuable resource.
How can I compost at home?
If you live in Chilliwack or the Fraser Valley, composting is easier than you might think. Here’s how to get started:
- Participate in local composting programs
Local composting programs make it even easier to manage organic waste responsibly. Most curbside programs accept food scraps, soiled food paper products like napkins, coffee filters, and tea bags, yard waste, and even sawdust, ensuring these items are diverted from landfills and turned into compost that can be utilized by local farmers and landscapers. - Know what to compost:
While many items can and should be composted, there are a few exceptions. It’s important to be mindful of what you include and always double check items you’re unsure of.- YES: food scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds and tea bags, soiled napkins and paper towels, paper plates and straws, wooden utensils and chopsticks, yard trimmings and leaves, saw dust
- NO: rocks and gravel, pet waste and litter, wet wipes (even if they say biodegradable) and plastic bags, even if they’re designed for compost bins, should not be included in your green bin or compost as these items impact the decomposition process and can become caught in machinery
Composting is about more than managing your table scraps and the leaves in your backyard. It’s a way to reduce pollution, improve soil quality and growing conditions, and keep unnecessary items out of the landfill. Whether you compost at home or through your local program, every bit of effort contributes to a greener, more sustainable Fraser Valley.Want to learn more about waste management? Curious how we can help? Contact our team today to get started.