One of the things people love about Compost Winnipeg is the effort we put into making our clients feel heard, supported, and informed throughout the process. Our FAQs have been carefully crafted to cover just about every important question about our service. However, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to connect with us directly.
FAQ’s
Nope! We are a social enterprise of the non-profit Green Action Centre. This means most of our profits beyond our operating costs, go to Green Action Centre programs to help Manitobans live greener. Learn more about our humble beginnings here.
This is absolutely something we are working on! At this time, we are focused on reducing organics going into the landfill, lowering emissions, and educating Winnipeggers on the importance of waste diversion. We are taking small steps today to make even bigger changes in the future.
Compost Winnipeg brings organic waste to the industrial composting site at Prairie Green Landfill where it is composted in outdoor windrows. This enables us to accept items such as meat, bones, dairy products, and compostable packaging. The Prairie Green Landfill uses the finished compost in the landfill management process to keep trash from blowing away. Furthermore, the finished compost acts as a biofilter to capture greenhouse gases that the landfill emits. If they were not using the compost they would be using topsoil and since topsoil is a non-renewable resource required to grow food, using finished compost is a more responsible solution.
You might be thinking, “What?! It just goes into the landfill after all that!”. Yes, but the difference is that when you throw away organic waste in the garbage and it’s compacted into the landfill there is no oxygen present. This results in the waste decomposing anaerobically (meaning without air) and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. This gets released over time and literally has to be pumped out of the landfill by vacuum wells for decades after it has been closed. By processing the organic waste separately this problem doesn’t exist because healthy microorganisms and insects decompose the organic materials as nature intended!
Given the size of our small operation, this is our best option to start making a difference and getting the community thinking and learning. As we grow, we are looking at ways we we can process the organic waste into compost and have compost available for anyone who desires it. We are taking small steps today to make bigger changes in the future.
We see the change that must occur and this is just the beginning.
RESIDENTIAL
Here are few tips to maintain a clean bin and prevent it from freezing during winters:
- Crumple up scrap paper into balls and put them in the bottom of your green bin before putting in any food or yard waste.
- Line your bin and layer your waste with crumpled-up newspaper, paper bags or soiled pizza/cardboard boxes.
- Avoid storing your food scraps bin indoors between collections, as liquid can collect and freeze when moved outdoors.
- Do not put liquids in the bin.
- Freeze your food scraps in your freezer before putting it out in your green bin.
- If material gets stuck inside the bin, use a broom or shovel handle to carefully loosen it.
- Put your bin/pail out for every collection, even if it’s not full.
Our compost couriers try their best to get the frozen contents out from the bin, but sometimes the bins are not fully emptied when the contents are stuck at the bottom. Please note that this is not considered a missed collection.
Compost Winnipeg is working towards providing services similar to a municipal collection program. The 32 G bin service provides opportunities for customers to increase the organic waste they divert, and provides Compost Winnipeg safer, more efficient collections. This also allows us to move to bi-weekly collections during the winter months and reduces our emissions.
Using bags for the 32-gallon bins is optional; you can use any container or kitchen pail to transfer the contents to the 32-gallon bin.
The most environmentally friendly choice is not to use a bag for your bin/ pail, but some people find it easier to manage their food scraps with a bag. If you choose to use a bag, paper is more environmentally friendly than compostable plastic; because paper can be composted along with your organic food waste. This also allows you to save the cost on compostable bags.
BPI certified compostable bags can also be used for lining your bins, but compostable bags require higher temperatures and longer processing times than food scraps to compost. At the Prairie Green composting facility where the organics are taken to be composted, these bags are often screened out as they do not break down well.
We noticed that most of our residential customers are using smaller bags for their interior pails, so lining the 32-gallon bin with another bag is not necessary.
Yes, we certainly do! Simply complete this online form and we will have them delivered on your scheduled collection day.
If you know you will be away and do not need collections, please take a moment to complete this online form to put your service on hold. If you are away for 3 weeks or longer, we will adjust your subscription renewal date so you aren’t paying for service while you are away.
There are many ways to prevent odour in your compost bin.
- Our collections take place weekly during the warmest months, to minimize the duration the waste sits in the bin.
- Put newspaper, paper or leaves at the bottom of the bin to absorb excess moisture. Don’t put liquids in the bin.
- Wrap your stinky scraps like meat, fish or bones in newspaper or store in the freezer until close to collection day.
- Clean your bin regularly to help it stay fresh.
- The bins we provide come with a lid that helps contain any odour.
The food waste you will be tossing in your compost bin are currently going into your garbage bin. In general, if you don’t deal with any pests with your garbage bins, composting won’t create a problem. That said, we do recommend cleaning your bin following collections to help it stay fresh.
Fruit flies can be a nuisance in the warmer months of the year. To help manage them we recommend the following options:
- Clean your bin regularly.
- Set a jar trap to capture the fruit flies using a jar with a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in it and add a few holes in the lid.
- Keep your organics in the freezer until collection day.
- Keep your lid flat on your pail to create a better seal.
No worries at all! Please place it out as usual. Our drivers are no stranger to torn bags, especially during the warmer months.
No. Our drivers are trained to spot our bins while making collections. This consistency ensures we don’t miss your pickup. Plus, when your neighbours see your Compost Winnipeg bin out they will be inspired to start composting too!
The only exception is if you participated in the City of Winnipeg food waste collection pilot project, you can use the City of Winnipeg green bin.
We are unable to accept human excrement in our compost pile due to pathogens. As for baby wipes, most are not made of natural fibre but rather a type of plastic/oil by-product, or a mix of both natural and synthetic. So to prevent confusion and risk of contamination, we just put these items in the no column.
We are unable to accept excrement from omnivores or carnivores due to pathogens that exist in their waste.
Yes! If you are moving within our service area, we are happy to transfer your collection to the new location. We ask that you give us at least 2 weeks notice so we can sort you on to the appropriate route.
In the event that you are moving outside our service area, we can add you to our waitlist and keep your remaining subscription balance as a credit on your account for when we expand to your new neighbourhood. If you prefer to cancel, we do not offer refunds for service. However, you are welcome to gift the remainder of your subscription to a friend, neighbour, or family member in our service area. Find our service area here.
Yes. We understand that circumstances change. Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds for service. However, you are welcome to gift the remainder of your subscription, along with your pail, to a friend, neighbour, or family member in our service area. Find our service area here.
Yes, we sure do! We know that during the coldest months of the year backyard composting is less feasible. We offer a seasonal subscription from November 1st to April 30th for only $210 ($35 per month). Sign up here!
Great question! As a general guide, if it came from the earth it can be composted. That said, it can be tricky to know if some packaging is compostable. Commonly it will say “compostable” on it, which we are glad to accept. You can also check out our Compost Guide. If you are still unsure, contact us with your inquiry; and if you can, please provide a photo so we can have a look. We love finding more things to compost!
Yes, we work all holidays except for Christmas Day and New Years Day! If you regularly scheduled collection day lands on a holiday please have you bin out as usual.
Yes, we provide BPI certified compostable bags for all bins we service. If you require bags for bins we do not have access to, we offer them for sale. You can view our price list here.
Sorry to hear that! To keep our routes most efficient and maintain a small carbon footprint we do not make unscheduled collections.
COMMERCIAL
There are many ways to prevent odour in your compost bin.
- Our collections take place weekly during the warmest months, to minimize the duration the waste sits in the bin.
- Put newspaper, paper or leaves at the bottom of the bin to absorb excess moisture. Don’t put liquids in the bin.
- Wrap your stinky scraps like meat, fish or bones in newspaper or store in the freezer until close to collection day.
- Clean your bin regularly to help it stay fresh.
- The bins we provide come with a lid that helps contain any odour.
The food waste you will be tossing in your compost bin are currently going into your garbage bin. In general, if you don’t deal with any pests with your garbage bins, composting won’t create a problem. That said, we do recommend cleaning your bin following collections to help it stay fresh.
Fruit flies can be a nuisance in the warmer months of the year. To help manage them we recommend the following options:
- Clean your bin regularly.
- Set a jar trap to capture the fruit flies using a jar with a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in it and add a few holes in the lid.
- Keep your organics in the freezer until collection day.
- Keep your lid flat on your pail to create a better seal.
We are able to accept a reasonable amount of contamination that can be filtered out in the composting process. If we notice it to be substantial, we will document the occurrence and notify you. We want to see you succeed so there is a 30-day grace period after startup. Following that, if the problem persists we will charge a decontamination fee for each instance.
Great question! As a general guide, if it came from the earth it can be composted. That said, it can be tricky to know if some packaging is compostable. Commonly it will say “compostable” on it, which we are glad to accept. You can also check out our Compost Guide. If you are still unsure, contact us with your inquiry; and if you can, please provide a photo so we can have a look. We love finding more things to compost!
Yes, we work all holidays except for Christmas Day and New Years Day! If you regularly scheduled collection day lands on a holiday please have you bin out as usual.
Yes, we provide BPI certified compostable bags for all bins we service. If you require bags for bins we do not have access to, we offer them for sale. You can view our price list here.
EVENTS
We are able to accept a reasonable amount of contamination that can be filtered out in the composting process. If we notice it to be substantial, we will document the occurrence and notify you. We want to see you succeed so there is a 30-day grace period after startup. Following that, if the problem persists we will charge a decontamination fee for each instance.
Great question! As a general guide, if it came from the earth it can be composted. That said, it can be tricky to know if some packaging is compostable. Commonly it will say “compostable” on it, which we are glad to accept. You can also check out our Compost Guide. If you are still unsure, contact us with your inquiry; and if you can, please provide a photo so we can have a look. We love finding more things to compost!
Yes, we work all holidays except for Christmas Day and New Years Day! If you regularly scheduled collection day lands on a holiday please have you bin out as usual.
Yes, we provide BPI certified compostable bags for all bins we service. If you require bags for bins we do not have access to, we offer them for sale. You can view our price list here.
THE PROCESS
This is absolutely something we are working on! At this time, we are focused on reducing organics going into the landfill, lowering emissions, and educating Winnipeggers on the importance of waste diversion. We are taking small steps today to make even bigger changes in the future.
Compost Winnipeg brings organic waste to the industrial composting site at Prairie Green Landfill where it is composted in outdoor windrows. This enables us to accept items such as meat, bones, dairy products, and compostable packaging. The Prairie Green Landfill uses the finished compost in the landfill management process to keep trash from blowing away. Furthermore, the finished compost acts as a biofilter to capture greenhouse gases that the landfill emits. If they were not using the compost they would be using topsoil and since topsoil is a non-renewable resource required to grow food, using finished compost is a more responsible solution.
You might be thinking, “What?! It just goes into the landfill after all that!”. Yes, but the difference is that when you throw away organic waste in the garbage and it’s compacted into the landfill there is no oxygen present. This results in the waste decomposing anaerobically (meaning without air) and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. This gets released over time and literally has to be pumped out of the landfill by vacuum wells for decades after it has been closed. By processing the organic waste separately this problem doesn’t exist because healthy microorganisms and insects decompose the organic materials as nature intended!
Given the size of our small operation, this is our best option to start making a difference and getting the community thinking and learning. As we grow, we are looking at ways we we can process the organic waste into compost and have compost available for anyone who desires it. We are taking small steps today to make bigger changes in the future.
We see the change that must occur and this is just the beginning.