Project Update: November 29th, 2023

On November 28, 2023, the Regional District of East Kootenay released information about their organics processing facility. To learn more about the construction, visit https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/organics.

In September, the City of Kimberley launched its curbside organics collection program. This program diverts waste from our landfill, reduces our greenhouse gas emissions, and returns organic material to the soil ecosystem.

Accepted Materials

Most of the organic waste produced by residents will be in the form of Kitchen Wastes. Kitchen waste is defined as compostable plant and animal derived food waste material including raw and cooked food waste. Kitchen waste includes, but is not limited to:

• Fruits and vegetables (without stickers)
• Meat, fish, shellfish, poultry and small bones
• Dairy products
• Bread, pasta, grains and baked goods
• Tea bags (paper filters only), coffee grounds and filters
• Food soiled paper towels and napkins
• Food soiled parchment and butcher paper
• Food soiled cardboard and paper (pizza boxes, paper take-out containers)
• Egg shells
• Fish waste: all parts of fish
• Bones less than 2” in diameter
• Condemned foods: spoiled and expired food that can't be sold/consumed – without packaging
• Cooking oil, fats and grease. - Soak up with paper towel and put in green cart
  

The organics curbside collection also includes yard waste. Items suitable for collection from your yard and garden include the following:

• Grass clippings, sod and weeds
• Leaves, cones, needles and berries
• Branches, twigs and hedge prunings – Branches/twigs to be less then 2” in diameter.
• Plants, tree fruits and flowers
• Hay, straw and coconut planter liners

Other compostable items include:

• Clean wood shavings / sawdust; Wood Ash. Must be bagged in paper bag.
• Untreated lumber scraps. Less then 2" diameter and 12" in length
• Wood popsicle sticks, chopsticks, toothpicks

Prohibited Materials

Essentially, if it wasn't once living food you'd have in your kitchen, or made of 100% paper/cellulose, it probably doesn’t belong.

• Plastics: Plastics of any kind will contaminate the compost.
• "Compostable" or biodegradable bags of any kind. Paper bags are accepted.
• Produce stickers are made of plastic! Please ensure they have been removed prior to disposal.
• Sharps: Sharps in any size or quantity, or items that could produce sharps when put through the mixer will render the compost unsaleable. Examples: glass, plexiglass, needles, syringes, metal, blades.
• Animal bones greater than 2” in diameter
• Kitty litter and pet feces
• Pet hair or human hair
• Domestic septic tank sludge

What about Wildlife?

Wildlife is attracted to organic waste whether it is in an organics cart or a garbage cart. Currently, your organic waste is placed into your garbage cart so the addition of a compost cart will neither increase or decrease the attractant. Continuing to properly manage your carts by securing them on your property or in a shed or garage will minimize the attractant.

We also know that layering food and yard waste in collection carts is an effective way to reduce odours that attract animals.

Bear-resistant carts are available for a one-time cost of $239.00 to residents that do not have a suitable secure storage location for their cart. Call 250-427-9660 to inquire.