Rotting waste causes Hamilton east end to smell rancid

Summer weather has hit Hamilton with a vengeance. While many are taking the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the summer weather, the city’s rising temperature has created a stinky situation. Hamilton Central Composting Facility is the cause of the rancid smell emitted in the city’s east end.

As a faithful green bin user, I know just how bad a small amount of compost can smell by the end of the week. Now take Hamilton’s Central Composting Facility – they handle roughly 70,000 tonnes of compost per year. Thousands and thousands of tonnes of compost mixed with high temperatures is a recipe for one disgusting stench.

To combat the smell, the Burlington Street facility wants to install carbon filters. While this is a sound idea, the Ministry of Environment needs to give their approval – something that may take up to four months.

The city’s temporary solution is to send its compost to other facilities. The clear out is expected to last another week.

Hamilton urges its residents to continue to recycle and compost as usual. Food scraps and other household compost should be placed in the green bin. For yard waste, use a separate paper yard waste bag or a clearly marked reusable container.

Have you been affected by the compost stench? Let us know in the comments.

Share post

Tags

• Compost
• East End
• Green Bin
• Hamilton
• Hamilton Central Composting Facility
• Hamilton East End
• HamOnt