Why Divert Organic Waste

Outline � What is organic waste?

� What is sent to the landfill?

� At the landfill

� Benefits of diverting

� Overcoming barriers

� How Green Calgary can help

What is organic waste? � Waste that breaks down in a short time � Typically food, fibers � Compostable vs Biodegradable

What is organic waste?

What is organic waste?  

 

 

 

What is sent to the landfill? Composition of ICI Waste sent to the landfill

Source: Green Calgary Waste Assessments in 2014

What is sent to the landfill?

Recyclables57%

Compostables31%

Landfill12%

ICI  Waste  Composition  by  Waste  Stream  2014

Source: City of Calgary

Composition of ICI Waste sent to the landfill

At the landfill…

At the landfill…

Benefits of Diverting

� Compost enriches soil

� Compost remediates soil

� Compost prevents pollution

� Compost offers economic benefits

Source: Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/composting/benefits.htm

Overcoming Barriers

� Tenant engagement

� Tenant education

� Odour

� Hauler availability

Overcoming barriers Tenant engagement

� Provide the necessary resources �  Does each tenant get their own bin, or do

they share?

Overcoming barriers Tenant engagement �  Include tenants in the planning process

Overcoming barriers Tenant engagement � Listen to and address concerns

Overcoming barriers Tenant engagement � Gradually add program to identify obstacles

Overcoming barriers Tenant education � Signage, signage, signage

Overcoming barriers Tenant education �  Informative posters

�  Did you know?

Overcoming barriers Tenant education � Workshops and information sessions

Overcoming barriers Odour � Bin placement and type

Overcoming barriers Odour � Coffee grinds and paper towel

�  Green vs brown material

Overcoming barriers Odour � Aeration

Overcoming barriers Odour � Routine bin cleaning

Overcoming barriers Hauler availability � Ask your waste hauler

Overcoming barriers Hauler availability �  Identify available haulers using the recycling directory

http://www.greencalgary.org/recycler-directory

Green Calgary can help �  Identify needs

�  Initial Consults

� Tenant Engagement and Education �  Lunch n Learn �  What’s in Your Waste? Demo

� Determine what’s right for you �  Waste Assessments / Audits �  Green Events

Initial Consult � Tour to identify opportunity areas � Discuss goals � Focus on waste, but can address other

concerns: �  Energy �  Water �  Cleaners

Lunch n Learn � Hour long presentations on:

�  Waste in the Workplace �  Greening Events �  Ins & Outs of Composting �  Energy in the Workplace �  Every Drop Counts �  Squeaky Clean & Green

What’s in Your Waste Demo � Public display of daily

waste for your building � Engage and interact with

employees � Receive feedback on

current programs

Waste Assessments/Audits � Measure diversion rate

�  Benchmark to compare to industry

�  Insight into current program effectiveness �  Identify problem items and materials � Report with recommendations

Green Events � Help divert wasteful event materials away

from the landfill � Green procurement � Educate attendees on your goals � Deliver a diversion report