Backyard composting could mean savings for Aurora taxpayers

YorkRegion.com
April 2, 2015
Teresa Latchford

Backyard composting can be just as good for your wallet as it is for the environment.

In 2013, Aurora council endorsed York Region's Integrated Waste Management Master Plan and received a staff report outlining Aurora specific initiatives, now known as the SM4RT Living Plan. It is a four-year work initiative being accomplished through partnering, piloting projects and sharing resources with 10 partners.

This year's initiatives include the start of a backyard composting pilot project on which council received an update this week.

"The goal of the pilot is to create awareness of the value of splitting green bin waste," infrastructure and environmental services director Ilmar Simanovskis said.

"It will include education, monitoring and site visits for participants."

Aurora residents who choose to participate will be asked to divert compostable materials into their backyards rather than putting them in the green bin. This change in behaviour could reduce green bin material by up to 50 per cent per household while producing rich organic soil for their own gardening use.

What's in it for the town? The diversion could result in lower costs related to curbside collection of the green bin waste, which could mean more savings for residents.

Hauling and processing green bin material at remote sites is costly due to the weight of the material.

"I know the heaviest thing I take to the curb every week is my green bin," Councillor John Abel said. "I'm for anything that is good for the environment."

Backyard composting can divert about 250 kilograms per household per year and if only 25 per cent of Aurora residents participate, it could save the town $100,000 annually, according to Simanovskis.

The trick will be educating participants on which materials are acceptable and proper compost practices to avoid negative issues.

It has been coined the Greener Garden Composting Challenge and, once it receives final approval from council, the town will begin the process of selecting at least 10 volunteers in the spring.

Participants will track what material is being disposed in the composter and how much it weighs. The results will be collected to determine how effective the program would be if fully implemented. The volunteers will also provide feedback on the ease of the program and if they could sustain the activity.

The actual pilot program will be completed over the summer with monitoring and regular visits from staff. A summary will take place in the fall, which will include prizes for all volunteers.

The pilot program’s $2,500 cost will be shared by the town and region.

If successful, the Aurora pilot program could be the springboard for programs in other municipalities.

For more or to find out how to get involved, visit aurora.ca