Residents
Composting
Residential Household WasteÂCBRM House Hold Special Waste ProgramHousehold special wastes are substances containing ingredients that are harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. CBRM residents have a permanent location to drop off Household Special Waste items. Green Island Recycling Facility located on 345 Gulf Crescent in the Sydport Industrial Park is open year round to provide residents with a safe and convenient way to dispose of these special waste items. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily and on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Electronics Recycling in Nova ScotiaBeginning February 1, 2008, Nova Scotians will be able to recycle unwanted computers, monitors, printers, and televisions responsibly. Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES) has established a network of Drop- off Centers where residents and businesses can return select electronic products for recycling. The Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship Program will divert electronics waste from our landfills and protect our environment. This Program will further Nova Scotia's reputation as a leader in recycling and waste diversion. For more information go to ACES Download information on Electronics Recycling (PDF 575 kB). The Journey of a Blue Bag...Every day you rinse and separate your recyclable items into two blue bags so they are ready for collection day. Have you ever wondered what happens next? It is here the journey of a blue bag begins. Collection trucks are divided into two compartments; blue bags with paper products and blue bags containing plastic and container products. The two waste streams are taken to the local Municipal Recovery Facility located in Sydport. Paper products and containers plastic blue bags are unloaded onto two separate tipping floors. Click here (PDF - 190 kb) to download a printable copy of the sorting sheet The next step in a blue bag's journey is the climb up one or two conveyor belts that carry bags to the second story sorting area. The first sorting line is used to sort containers including milk cartons, plastic containers, aluminum cans and glass jars. Staff separate different types of containers and toss them into shoots that empty into large bunkers below. The fiber sorting line is used to sort paper products. Office paper and cardboard are placed into separate bunkers from newsprint, magazines and box board. When bunkers are full, a loader is used to push recyclables onto another conveyor belt. This conveyor belt delivers these materials to a machine called a bailer. From here, bails are stored by product type and shipped by tractor trailer to begin their journey to markets around the world. Products made from recycled materials include: carpet, t-shirts, plastic lumber, insulation, and new packaging. As you can see, it's extremely important to Recycle Right. Paper products and containers must be placed in separate blue bags and all materials must be clean and dry. Please remember, Don't Just Recycle, Recycle Right. CBRM's Solid Waste By-LawView the CBRM Solid Waste Resource Management By-Law (PDF - 211 kb). CBRM Residence have:
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in your garbage and recyclables being left at the curb. Garbage bags may be randomly checked for recyclables. Garbage bags containing recyclables may be tagged with a rejection sticker and left to be properly sorted by the homeowner. Remember it's important to Recycle Right! Illegal Dumping is Everyone's ProblemTo those who enjoy nature, there is nothing more distressing than seeing an otherwise beautiful landscape spoiled by illegally dumped trash. Abandoned piles of household garbage or yard waste, discarded appliances, old barrels, used tires and demolition debris can threaten the health of humans, wildlife and the environment. If you see illegal dumping, please contact: local Nova Scotia Environment Office or the afterhours Environmental Emergency Number at: 1-800-565-1633. Nova Scotia Environment, 295 Charlotte Street, Sydney, N.S. (902) 563-2100 Nova Scotia Department of Environment Bylaw Enforcement Division of the CBRM 563-5202 or the Solid Waste Management Hotline at 567-1337. Please do your part by not turning a blind eye to illegal dumping. Click here (PDF - 190 kb) to download a printable copy of the sorting sheet. What is Composting?Composting is a natural process that breaks down food, lawn and garden materials into dark, earthy soil-like material called "compost". This end product is an excellent soil conditioner for plants, gardens and lawns. By returning nutrients back into the soil, composting reduces the need for expensive chemical fertilizers. Are You Ready to Start Backyard Composting?Purchase an earth machine backyard composter! Your municipality has affordable backyard composters for purchase. They are easy to set up and maintain. Call CBRM's Waste Management Hotline for more information 567-1337. Nailing together old wood pallets can make a simple composting unit. Other creative composters can be made from old barrels or large garbage cans with the bottoms cut out and holes drilled in the side. Stacked cinder blocks or snow fencing can also be used to contain the compost pile. What Goes in My Backyard Composter?
 Do not place the following items in your backyard composter
What are Greens and Browns?Greens: Materials like vegetable and fruit peelings, tea bags, coffee grains and filters provide nitrogen. For compost to work properly, you must have both greens and browns in reasonable amounts. Occasionally stir your compost pile. Do not leave greens, such as kitchen scraps on top of your compost pile. It is best to keep these materials covered by browns where they will break down quicker. Browns: Materials like newspaper, dryer-lint, paper and paper towels provide carbon. Begin your compost pile with a layer of browns. A base of branches and twigs will help circulate your pile. You should always finish your pile with a layer of browns. Keep a garbage bag of old leaves or old shredded newspaper beside your compost container to have a ready supply of browns. Click here to download a printable copy the composting sort sheet. (PDF - 358 kb) When Getting Started...Make a nutrient rich bottom layer in your composter; begin composting with a layer of soil combined with leaves and other year trimmings. Alternate layers of your organic waste; brows then greens. A complete layer of each type is crucial but not always necessary. Keep in mind that too much yard waste slows down the compost process; too much kitchen waste gives off an ammonia odour, so try to balance these ingredients when possible. During the summer months the compost should be aired out at least three times a week. This is done by removing the lid on your composter and turning the pile more than once a week or you will slow down the decomposition. Remember your compost should be as damp as a squeezed out sponge. If your compost is too dry, add water. If your compost is too wet add some shredded paper, soil or leaves.  How to Collect Your MaterialThe easiest way to collect kitchen materials is with a plastic container. This container should have a lid to eliminate odours. A two or four liter plastic ice cream container works great and is best kept on the counter or under the sink. As you accumulate your materials, place it in the container and when it is full; add to your compost pile or bin. Yard materials can be added to the compost as they are produced provided they are not in excessive quantities. If you have excessive amounts of yard material, simply store in a dry spot and add as required. The Four Seasons of CompostingSpring: Spring the time for a fresh start. If you are just beginning to compost make sure you place your composter in a shady area near your home. Start by placing a layer of brown materials and a handful of soil. If you've composted last year wait for compost material to thaw, then turn pile while mixing in some browns. Use the finished compost and start a new pile with the remainder Summer: Summer is the height of composting activity. This is the best time to increase compost material. To keep your compost in good condition, just layer and stir. Cover each layer of greens with a layer of brown such as dry leaves, grass, peat moss or other browns and poke or stir contents. Fall: Harvest your finished compost and use as mulch in your flowerbeds, vegetable garden or around the base of trees and shrubs. Fall is the beginning of yearly composting, much to the homeowners surprise. The main reason for this is the autumn leaf drop, which can supply you with a ready source of browns throughout the following year. Don't forget to set leaves aside in a dry spot to add to your compost during the winter. Winter: Although the winter season sees a marked drop in composting activity, materials still go through a freeze-thaw cycle, which reduces their water content and volume. Keep your composter going through the winter by adding kitchen waste. To avoid a sloppy springtime surprises, use wood chips or newsprint to absorb the excess water in order to prevent matting.  Composting: Trouble Shooting Problems
 Uses for CompostCompost is an excellent, all-purpose soil amendment, improving the fertility, structure, aeration, and moisture-holding capacity of the soil. Compost added to your garden will provide needed nutrients and condition the soil. Compost can be added to the garden by mixing the materials into the top 6 inches of soil. It can also be used around lawns, trees, shrubs, vegetables and flowers. Compost can be used as potting soil for flowers, plants and for transplant mixes.  When is My Compost Ready?Your compost is ready to use when most of all of the organic material is unrecognizable. The compost should have a dark, crumbly appearance. The quality of the compost that comes out of a backyard composter is often quite coarse. Many people like to screen the compost prior to using it. This removes the larger chunks which can be placed back in the composter for further decomposition. Composting TipsPlace composter on level ground convenient to your house or garden. For more information on composting phone (902) 567-1337 or visit the following websites: |