Composting

Composting

Composting is a managed biological process where organic matter is decomposed.  It is an effective way of diverting organic wastes from landfills.  Done properly, composting is an environmentally friendly way of preserving nutrients in Alberta's natural cycles and can be done in small and large-scale settings.

Backyard composting

Managing waste is everyone’s business and the best place to begin is in your own backyard.  Composting works in even small spaces.  Read our Backyard Composting Guidebook to learn how you can turn your kitchen scraps into food for your garden.

Vermicomposting

Also known as worm composting, this is a simple way of turning organic household waste into a useful soil conditioner and fertilizer for houseplants, gardens and lawns. Worm composting can be done year-round and is particularly useful for those who want to compost their food scraps but don't have space for a backyard compost bin.

Grasscycling

When mowing a lawn, leave the clippings on the grass. They will decompose into humus, releasing natural nutrients back into the soil and improving its ability to retain water.

Grasscycling conserves landfill space, while saving you time, work and money (where a power mower is used).

When dry, grass should be cut every five to six days during fast growing periods or when it is about 6 to 8 centimetres high.

No more than one-third of the grass blade (2.5 centimetres) should be cut at any time.  It may not be possible to grasscycle with every cut, as some parts of the lawn grow faster than other areas. More grasscycling means fewer bag clippings for the landfill — or an overloaded compost bin

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