Edmonton is on the path to becoming a zero waste city.
The goal is to stop food waste from going to the landfill and creating harmful greenhouse gases. As a resident of Edmonton, even while living in an apartment, you can help.
While apartment buildings using one large communal garbage bin aren't currently participating in the new cart program, there are still ways residents can contribute.
People have been composting for centuries, but in the last decade, apartment composting has become more common. Many renters think of composting as messy and smelly; however, when done properly, indoor composting is mess-free with only a slight earthy scent, if any.
There are four ways to compost in an apartment:
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Worm Composting – This consists of a bin, dirt, and worms. The Maze Worm Farm Composter offers a sleek design that is small enough for your apartment kitchen. It's recommended that you only compost raw fruit and vegetable scraps within a worm bin.
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Electric Composter – These composters create a dry, odorless fertilizer from all your food waste. Because the final product is dry, it can be stored in a sealed container for future use.
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Bokashi Composter – This composter uses bokashi bran to ferment all your food waste, including dairy, grains, cooked foods, and meat. However, the final fermented product will need to be buried in soil, either in a planter or garden.
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Countertop Composter – This small countertop composter uses dead leaves or other brown material, fruit or veggie scraps, shredded newspaper, and water to produce finished compost. This composter is available at Carbon Environmental Boutique, just six minutes from our One Flow Living apartments.
When composting in your apartment, remember to keep your chosen system clean and maintained. If you find you're filling your composter too quickly, freezing any scraps in a resealable container to compost later will eliminate added smell and waste. It may be difficult to use all your composting product, so spread the wealth to a friend or a community garden.
Edmonton's own Compost 'S Cool is a fabulous resource for anyone wanting to start composting. In addition, those with more questions than answers can turn to an Edmonton Master Composter for helpful advice.