Compost Pilot Project
If you have any questions regarding the Compost Pilot Project, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 729-2281.
Download Compost Pilot Project in PDF Format
2012 Compost Collection Calendar May - August
What You Need To Know
What is the Compost Pilot Project?
The Compost Pilot Project allows residents who receive compost pickup to put organics (fruit and vegetable scraps, teabags, egg shells, etc) out for separate collection on specified days. Collection is weekly for the summer months (July, August, September and October).
What are organics?
Organics are materials that break down naturally and can be turned into compost. This saves them from going to landfill – landfill space is costly and hard to find.
What does the City of Brandon supply to residents?
Every household that is chosen to participate in the pilot project will receive:
- A smaller container for the kitchen that can be attached inside a cupboard or kept on the counter.
- A larger container (with a green lid) for the curb or lane. The container has wheels and handles so that it’s easy to move around.
- Instructions as to what goes in the bins.
What materials are accepted in the compost pilot project?
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Plain cooked vegetables
- Coffee Grounds & filters
- Teabags / Tea leaves
- Eggshells
- Bin liners of newsprint of brown paper (no colored or glossy paper)
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Branches (must fit in bin)
- Pet hair/ Human hair
- Cardboard (small amounts)
- Plain pasta & plain rice
- Plain bread
- Feathers
- Seafood shells
- Weeds (that have not been sprayed)
- Wood chips & sawdust (from untreated wood)
- Compostable kitchen bags
There is no limit on the amount of compost materials that may be placed in collection each week, however, a compost bin may not weigh more than 151 kg.
Can I put my leaves and yard waste into the compost bin?
Yes!
What do I have to do?
- Place your indoor container in a convenient location – it can be attached inside a cupboard or underneath your sink.
- Line your indoor container or outdoor Compost Bin with a compostable bag. If you wish, you can use a kraft paper bag to line your indoor container. Any plastic bag, as long as it’s compostable, can be used to line your outdoor Compost Bin.
- Place all items accepted in the Compost Pilot Project into your outdoor Compost Bin.
- If you use a bag to line your outdoor Compost Bin, make sure it is completely tucked into the bin when you set it out; otherwise, the edges may be used by animals to pull the bin over.
- On your collection day, place your curbside Compost Bin container at the curb by 7 a.m. and remove bin from curb by nightfall the same day of collection.
- Ensure that your Compost Bin is accessible by placing it approximately 2 feet away from your Recycle Bin or Garbage Bin. In winter, place your bin and items in a clearly visible, accessible area.
Do I have to use a bag to line my compost bin?
By lining your kitchen container, you don’t have to handle the organics twice. Just remove the compostable bag from your indoor container and toss it into your outdoor Compost Bin. Using compostable bags as liners prevents loose organics from freezing to the side of your bin in the winter. Also, please note that both containers are washable. (Your kitchen catcher can be washed in the dishwasher for up to 20 cycles.)
Should I put my name on my compost bin?
No, but you should record the serial number.
I’m elderly / disabled and won’t be able to drag that container to the curb every week. What should I do?
The Compost Bin is designed with wheels and a handle to help easily roll it to the curbor back lane. You could also apply for set-out and set-back service. The form is available here.
Where should I store my compost bin?
Are there any animal issues or health concerns to worry about?
Consider storing your Compost Bin where you currently keep your Recycle Bin and Garbage Bin. As for the smaller kitchen container, place your indoor container in a convenient location – it can be attached inside a cupboard or placed underneath your sink.
The Compost Bin is completely sanitary and safe.
Is the outdoor compost bin designed to be resistant to dogs, raccoons, etc.?
Yes, as much as is practically possible, the Compost Bin is designed to be animal-resistant. If you use a compostable bag to line your outdoor Compost Bin, make sure it is completely tucked into the bin when you set it out; otherwise, edges may be used by animals to pull the bin over, but more importantly, you want to avoid any food residue left on the plastic from attracting animals.
How does the program work?
Where is the organic material going?
Your organics are picked up at curbside and taken directly to the Eastview Landfill Site for processing.
What will the finished compost be used for?
It will be made available to those participating in the program. Any left over will be used for soil amendment for use on City parks and gardens.
It looks like the garbage collectors are putting the refuse in the same place in the truck as the Compost Bin material. Is that true?
No, they aren’t. The same trucks are used for multiple purposes.
Are apartment residents participating in the Compost Pilot Project?
No. During the Pilot Project is restricted to only single family residences.
The big picture: Diverting waste from the landfill
Is the Compost Pilot Project really helping Brandon reduce waste from the landfill?
Yes. We know from research that, on average, each participating household is diverting organics from landfill. Each year, the City of Brandon’s waste diversion rate increases.
Why did the City of Brandon start this program?
Every city is interested and committed to reducing the amount of waste requiring landfill disposal. About 1/3 (30 percent) of that garbage is organic material – material that can be processed into compost for use on parks and gardens instead of being sent to landfill. The purpose of the new Compost Binis to divert these organic materials from landfill and turn them into compost.
How long will the Compost Pilot Project last?
The Compost Pilot Project is an 18 month pilot project. For 12 months (from July 2010 to July 2011), the City of Brandon will collect materials, and for the 6 months after that, results will be monitored.
We will be providing samples of both a box of compostable kitchen catcher bags and ten paper bin liners.
More Questions?
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Compost Hotline at 729-2281.
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