Celebrating International Compost Awareness Week

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, is recognizing May 4-10 as International Compost Awareness Week. This year’s theme, Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost, encourages public awareness on the benefits of compost use and recycling organics, including food scraps and yard waste.

To align with this theme, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is announcing over $100,000 in funding to the latest recipients of the Community Waste Diversion Fund.

This fund provides a maximum $25,000 contribution to municipalities and local service districts for the implementation of community initiatives that identify new or enhance existing opportunities to divert waste from landfills.

This year, nine communities across Newfoundland and Labrador are receiving funding, many of them focusing on organics reduction projects, furthering efforts to reduce waste through composting and other sustainable practices. A full list of the 2024-25 recipients is provided in the backgrounder below.

In recognition of International Compost Awareness Week, MMSB and the Provincial Government encourage residents across the province to “think green” by composting at home and in your community – an easy way to support a more sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador.

The organization also partners with communities to offer backyard composting bins to residents at a reduced rate, along with larger community compost bins. Since its inception, over 36,000 compost bins have been distributed. This spring, over 560 bins were ordered across 12 communities and community groups. A list of participating communities is available on MMSB’s website.

To learn more about composting, follow MMSB social media channels or visit Rethink Waste NL.

Quotes
“During Compost Awareness Week, I encourage residents and communities across the province to get on board with composting. I also congratulate those communities who will be able to expand their waste initiatives through the Community Waste Diversion Fund. Thank you to the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board for continuing to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians understand the benefits of composting, further strengthening our commitment to a sustainable future.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Nearly one-third of the waste we dispose of in Newfoundland and Labrador is organic matter. Composting is a simple yet powerful way for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reduce waste and make a positive impact on the environment. MMSB is proud to support and work alongside communities across the province to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. We encourage everyone to ‘think green’ and embrace composting as a key part of that journey.”
Dermot Flynn
Chair, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board of Directors

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