Congratulations West Coast residents! Since launching on the West Coast in November 2022, the new Sort’nGo organics collection service has already diverted more than 130 tonnes (or 290,000 pounds) of organics from the landfill.
That is equal to the weight of around four humpback whales.
By redirecting this amount of organic waste to the compost program where it can be made into a useful soil amendment, West Coast residents have reduced the amount of curbside waste going to the landfill by 30.37 per cent.
What a great accomplishment, achieved in just in six months!
Reaching the 50 per cent mark
Before introduction of the organics collection program, less than 20 per cent of residential waste was being diverted from the landfill on the West Coast. With the 30 per cent increase due to organics collection, West Coast residential homes are now diverting more than 50 per cent of their household waste.
“West Coast residents have really stepped up to make this program a success – we’ve already come so far, and it’s exciting to see how a little bit more effort can further our goals even more!” said Jodie Frank, solid waste project co-ordinator with the ACRD.
Room to improve
In spring 2023, the ACRD completed a waste composition study for the West Coast, focusing on single-family residential homes with curbside collection. Materials from 100 households were sampled over two weeks. The study gives good insight into how the service is being used – and where there is room to continue to increase diversion.
There are some clear ways the program can continue to grow its success:
- Organics and recyclables are still found in garbage carts: In fact, nearly 40 per cent of the material in garbage carts was organics, and 19 per cent was recyclable (curbside or depot). By sending these items to blue cart, green cart or depot, we could reduce landfill waste significantly more.
- More people can participant: While garbage and recycling collection have participation rates of 66 and 70 per cent respectively – the organics collection service is currently at a 40 per cent participation rate – which means less than half the homes that have the service, as using it. As more people start using their green cart to its full potential, our impact on the landfill will continue to be reduced.
Let’s keep it up!
Remember that all food waste can go in the green organics bin: dairy, meat, bones. Even greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, newspaper and more. The more that we compost, the more we are doing to reduce our impact on the environment.
Share tips with your neighbours too!
Visit www.letsconnectacrd.ca/sortngo-west-coast for more or download the free Sort’nGo ACRD app and start learning how to live simpler, and sort smarter.