News Release – MMSB Recognizes International Compost Awareness Week – May 3, 2024

News Release
May 3, 2024

Multi-Materials Stewardship Board Proclaims International Compost
Awareness Week

St. John’s, NL – In recognition of International Compost Awareness Week (May 5-11), The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is encouraging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to embrace nature’s version of recycling and compost organic waste! Organic waste, including food, yard and paper will decompose naturally over time and can create healthy soil to be used for gardening. When we compost, we all do our part to affect climate change.


In celebration of International Compost Awareness Week, MMSB will share composting information and tips through its social media channels as well as launch online contests for chances to win compost bins. Educational resources and workshops are available and can be requested through MMSB.


Additionally, building on this year’s theme, “Compost…Nature’s Climate Champion”,MMSB will be spotlighting local champions, Georgetown Community Compost and Western Environment Centre who are leading the way with local small-scale community composting. Community composting involves a central composting site that is created and maintained by a municipal government or local group and is made available to members of the community. Partnering with these groups, MMSB will co-host two online workshops to help increase awareness of and promote the benefits of community composting projects and programs.


To help communities facilitate composting, MMSB annually partners with communities to offer backyard composting bins to residents at a reduced rate. The Compost Bin Distribution Program includes not only backyard compost bins but also larger community compost bins. This Spring, over 700 backyard and community bins were ordered with 12 participating communities and six community groups. MMSB is also providing support through educational resources including community composting guides, online educational workshops, and signage. A list of participating communities is available on MMSB’s website.


To learn more about composting, including backyard, community, and vermicomposting, or to register for an upcoming event, follow our social media
channels or visit rethinkwastenl.ca.

Quotes

Protecting our environment and making greener choices is very important. I applaud the MMSB for continuing to support composting initiatives across the province. Compost Awareness Week is a great time for all our residents and communities to learn more about the benefits of composting. Reducing waste by composting organic material helps support a sustainable environment for future generations.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Environment and Climate Change


“Nearly one-third of the waste we discard in Newfoundland and Labrador consists of organic matter. Embracing composting at the residential and community level presents a simple and fulfilling means to redirect organic waste away from landfills. MMSB is thrilled to support existing and new community composting efforts, aimed at empowering residents to adopt composting practices. By embracing backyard composting, we reduce our environmental footprint while fostering vibrant and eco-friendly community projects.”
Dermot Flynn
Chair, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board of Directors


“There is growing momentum for community composting in Newfoundland and Labrador, extending composting benefits beyond the backyard. It increases access to composting, provides tremendous economic, social, and environmental benefits, and adapts to communities’ needs and dynamics. I applaud MMSB for recognizing the significance of Community Composting during International Compost Awareness Week, supporting local organizations that have developed expertise over the years and providing communities with the much-needed resources to start, operate, and maintain composting initiatives.”
Viviana Ramírez Luna (she/her)
Founder Planeet Zero Waste Consulting, Inc.
Chair NL Community Composting Network

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Learn more:

  • International Compost Awareness Week
  • Rethink Waste NL – Backyard Composting
  • Virtual Resources and Registration
  • Backyard Compost Bin Distribution Program
    Media Contact:
    Multi-Materials Stewardship Board
    709.631.8502
    inquiries@mmsb.nl.ca

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