Getting Started

First Steps

Place a thick layer of coarse organic material, such as straw, leaves and branch cuttings, at the bottom of the bin for air circulation. Drop yard trimmings in the unit. Dig kitchen scraps into the centre and cover with a layer of soil or leaves. Try to add equal amounts of green (nitrogen-rich) material such as kitchen scraps and grass clippings, and brown (carbon-rich) material, such as leaves and straw.

Helpful Hints

• Alternate wet (kitchen scraps) and dry (yard material) waste: Green and Brown
• Chop or shred materials up before you put them into the composter
• Keep materials moist like a damp sponge
• The breakdown process will slow down in the winter and eventually stop once the pile freezes; however, will resume in the spring
• The smaller the material is, the more surface area is exposed, and the faster it will decompose
• For more information call (905) 546-CITY (2489)

Click here for a printable version of the Backyard Composting brochure.