Composting

What is Composting?

Composting is a managed biological process that breaks down organic materials, such as food scraps, into a dark, earthy, soil-like material called compost.

A poster with information on Composting is available here.

Why Compost?

Reduce waste: 30 - 40% of household garbage is made up of organics that can be composted. Yellowknife residents can help extend the life of the landfill by composting! 

Make your own garden and lawn healthy: Compost is an excellent soil conditioner that improves microbiological activity, soil structure, and water retention. Compost acts like a sponge, helping soil retain moisture and nutrients. This reduces the amount of water and fertilizer needed.

What can be Composted?

A list of acceptable materials that can fully undergo the composting process and can be added to your green cart for collection:

•  Food waste 
  • Such as meat, vegetables, and fruit
• Inedible food waste  
  • Such as bones, peels, cores, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells
• Paper towels or facial tissues not containing chemical sprays
• Small amounts of boxboard, cardboard, newspaper and pizza boxes without tape attached
• Small amounts of leaf and organic yard waste 
  • Such as grass clippings, small twigs, pine and spruce needles
• BPI certified compostable products
• House plants without soil

 What cannot be Composted?

• Cooking oil
• Biodegradable materials
• General residual waste
• Soil or rolls of Sod
• Any plastic without the BPI certified compostable logo 
  • Such as plastic bags, berry containers, cups etc
•  Animal or honey bucket waste
• Gable top or Tetra containers 
  • Such as Milk cartons, juice cartons, soup broth containers etc
• Manufactured and human-made wood 
  • Such as plywood, particle board, composite wood, pallets "2x4" and related building materials
• Metals
• Electronics 

What happens at the City of Yellowknife's Compost Facility?

Collected organic material is taken to The Compost Facility located at the Solid Waste Facility. The organic material is then combined with carbon amendments such as wood chips, leaf and other organic yard waste, and placed into long piles called "windrows". These windrows take approximately 2 years to decompose into mature and stable compost.

How do I compost successfully in the Northwest Territories?

Composting in the Northwest Territories is possible! To find detailed information on different types of composting set-ups and how to build your own composter please read the guide for Composting North of 60.

The Let it Rot Poster is a handy poster on how to set-up and use a backyard composter.