Waste Management

Mt. Doug Youth Outreach

COMPOST

01

GARBAGE

03

RECYCLING

02

Table of Contents

Compost

01

What is compost and how does it work?

COMPOST

What is Compost?

• Compost is a mixture of ingredients that are used as plant fertilizer.
• You can make compost by decomposing food scraps and other organic materials.
• Compost is more sustainable than most waste management methods.

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3 Benefits

1. Improves soil fertility
2. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
3. Conserves water

How does compost work?

• Microorganisms decompose organic matter like food waste and dead plants.
• Once they decompose, they can be added to soil.

What does a compost bin need?

“Greens” for Nitrogen:

• Nitrogen is found in fresh organic material
• Nitrogen helps decomposers grow and reproduce quickly

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“Browns” for Carbon

• Carbon is a food source for decomposers
• “Browns” are dead leaves, branches and paper

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Water/oxygen

• Turn the compost every few weeks
• Don’t add too much water

What belongs in the green bin?

Yard Waste

Paper (Soiled)

Food Scraps

Leaves

Grass trimmings

Flowers

Small branches

Scrap bits of wood

Cardboard

Napkins

Paper bags

Paper plates

Newspapers

Fruit and veggie rinds

Animal products

Grains and starches

Eggshells

Teabags

Recycling

02

What is recycling and how does it benefit the world?

RECYCLING

What is Recycling?

• The process of converting waste materials that would be thrown away into new material
• Important because it extends life of used-up materials by producing something that can be used again

What Should You Recycle?

• You can recycle glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard and some plastics
• Plastics utensils, tubs and lids like ice cream containers and yogurt
• It is important to recycle properly so we don’t cause harm to the environment
• Remember, some provinces and

countries have different

regulations, so always check them!

How Does Recycling Work?

1) Collection of Recycling

2) Processing

• Recyclables are sorted and cleaned

3) Made into new products, making it a reusable plastic

What Are Benefits to Recycling?

Protects Environment and Wildlife

Saves Natural Resources

Reduces Pollution and Waste

Solid Waste

03

What is solid waste, where does it go, and how is it disposed?

SOLID WASTE

Solid Waste & Garbage Trucks

What is Solid Waste?

How do Garbage Trucks Work?

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• Solid Waste is commonly known as garbage or trash. This would be items such as soft plastics, broken glass, fabrics, diapers, etc.

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• A garbage truck collects municipal solid waste and transports it to a solid waste treatment facility, such as a landfill. Garbage trucks have specific pick up times depending on the location of your house.

Landfills

Statistics

Impact

• Air and Water Pollution
• Soil Pollution
• Environmental Disturbance
• Did you know? 40% of landfills are actually filled up with organic matter

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• The average Canadian is responsible for 265 kg of solid waste per year
• In 2018, 35.6 million tonnes of solid waste were generated in Canada

“50% landfill disposal reduction by 2040.” - The City of Victoria

Fabric =

Plastic Wrap =

Glass =

Diaper =

Biodegradability

Pieces of glass thrown in landfills could take up to 4,000 years to decompose!

What is biodegradability?

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Biodegradability is the ability of a substance to disintegrate or

decompose back into the natural environment.

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All plastics can take 10 to hundreds of years to fully decompose!

It takes certain fabrics +200 years to decompose in landfills!

Diapers take between 450 to 600 years to decompose at a landfill!

4,000 years

+200 years

240 years

450 - 600 years

Special Waste

Batteries

Soft Plastics

Styrofoam

Batteries leaking in landfills cause irreversible damage to ecosystems

Flexible Plastic Packaging can be accepted by Recycling Depots!

Corn plastics like styrofoam take longer to break down and can be recycled like soft plastics

A Quote

“ There is no such thing as ‘away’.

When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.”

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• Annie Leonard

Thanks!

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