Waste audit shows Saint John area could compost more

A new waste audit shows people in the Saint John area are still putting compost and recyclables into the garbage.

The Fundy Solid Waste Commission recently conducted its first waste audit of everything entering into Crane Mountain Landfill and the results show more than 40 per cent of contents could be diverted from the landfill.

"It sounds like a lot, but it’s not that bad," said Brenda MacCallum spokeswoman for Fundy Solid Waste Commission.

The commission runs a voluntary curbside compost program. A voluntary recycling program allows residents to drop off paper, cardboard, and cans at large blue bins in various locations.

The audit sampled 50 garbage bags from residential curbside pick-up across the region. Staff went through the bags, sorted and weighed the waste.

MacCallum said 19 per cent of what was in the bags was organic matter that could be composted , a percentage that is on par with communities like Halifax. The audit showed 22 per cent could go to the blue bin recycling centres, with most of that being paper and cardboard.

"We could have some enforcement," MacCallum said. "That would certainly help. To put limits on waste, that’s going to help drive things. When you look at others areas where they’ve done that, you certainly see improvements."

Hampton is the only municipality served by the waste commission that limits how much garbage a household can put at the curb. MacCallum said the community has high recycling numbers and a higher composting rate, too.

Each year the waste commission diverts 7,800 tonnes of compost from the landfill, but MacCallum says 3,100 tonnes could still be taken out.

She said the Crane Mountain Landfill has 25 years of life left, but it could be extended if residents composted more. The results of the audit will be taken to the commission for recommendations.