Hamilton considers other ways to handle compost

Just three weeks ago, you couldn’t escape the smell coming from the city’s east end. Through a combination of high temperatures and reasons unknown, the Hamilton Central Composting Facility was the cause of Hamilton’s rancid stench. Now that the Burlington Street East facility is closed, the city is looking into other ways to handle compost.

Today at Council I'll be introducing a motion supported by @Sam_Merulla , proposed by @EnvHamilton to provide all lower city Hamilton residents (Wards 1-5) FREE backyard compost bins as an ongoing effort to divert away from our failed contracted compost facility. @ProudToBeWard3 pic.twitter.com/Cdgnavzj2B

— Matthew Green 🍊📈✊🏾 (@MatthewGreenNDP) July 13, 2018

Councillors Sam Murella and Matthew Green have proposed to ask lower city residents to use backyard composters. Using the city’s infrastructure fund, the two Councillors want to give away upwards of 2,000 free composters.

Each composter will come with a free guide on proper usage, including tips on how to avoid odours and curious animals.

While the city has yet to determine how or when residents will have access to the free backyard composters, Councillor Green believes the project could grow to be a success across the city.

Some Hamiltonians have been hesitant to use their green bins in the wake of the Burlington Street fiasco – having their own personal composter may alleviate their worries.

Personal composters will also help stop organic waste ending up in landfills. While the Hamilton Central Composting Facility was being cleaned out, waste was originally going to be sent to other processing facilities. It is unfortunate to note that organic waste is currently being sent to the Glanbrook dump.

At the end of the day, Hamilton needs its composting plant up and running again. Currently there is no set date for when, or even if, the Burlington Street East facility will open again.

The city needs to complete an in-depth review of the plant, its wood chip biofilter and air handling system before re-opening can even be discussed.

If you have the means to do so, please consider purchasing a backyard composter. The less organic waste we put into our landfills the better.

Would you purchase a backyard composter? Let us know in the comments.

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Tags

• Backyard Composter
• burlington street east
• Composting
• Councillor Matthew Green
• Councillor Sam Murella
• Green Bin
• Hamilton
• Hamilton Central Composting Facility
• HamOnt
• Organic Waste