Composting

ADVISORIES

Waste disposal during COVID-19Waste disposal during COVID-19– Disposing of waste responsibly is as important now as always. Waste facilities are open and modifications have been made to ensure the safety of community members and facility staff.

Food isn't garbage!

Food scraps and other organic materials (napkins, tea bags, coffee grinds, house plants, etc.) don't belong in the landfill garbage. A local 2016 waste audit found that organics still account for 35 per cent of waste sent to the landfill.* Discarded food in the landfill creates greenhouse gases. Recycling our food scraps reduce the amount of garbage we produce, reduces global warming pollution and creates compost for local gardens and farms.

Food scraps and other organics accepted for composting.

What can be composted?

The info graphic (above) can help you identify what can be collected and brought to the Nesters and Function Junction Depots to be turned into compost. You can also download compost guides in the resources below.

Composting image by Justa Jeskova The following materials can be composted, but must be brought directly to the Waste Transfer Station:

Large volumes of sawdust, woodchips, and shavings
Large amounts of yard waste (Smaller amounts, e.g. up to a small pick-up truck, are accepted at Nesters & Function Junction Depot from May - November)
Clean wood waste
Commerical compost

Commercial and strata property bylaw update

A new bylaw to help Whistler achieve its community waste reduction and climate change targets, as well as regional waste commitments was adopted by Council in September 2017. The bylaw requires all commercial and strata properties to collect composting, recycling and landfill waste. Property owners and strata councils should be working with their waste hauler to add compost into their waste collection program. The RMOW has developed a suite of resources to support businesses, property managers and strata councils to be in compliance with the bylaw requirements.

Collection depots

Depots are open for single family residents and residential complexes of less than 12 units that pay the annual Operation Fee. Depot hours are from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. daily.

Drop off food scraps and organics for recycling at:

Function Junction Depot - 1001 Lynham Road
Nester’s Depot - 8010 Nesters Road

Compost processing facilities

Compost, a nutrient rich soil amendment, from the Whistler Composting Facility. Photo SLRD The bulk of source separated residential and commercial food scarps and organic waste is processed at Sea To Sky Soils Composting Facility in Pemberton BC. In partnership with Lil'wat Nation, Sea to Sky Soils is creating a valuable soil amendment to be used by local organic farmers and gardeners.

Additionally, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) composting facility in the Callaghan Valley composts biosolids from the wastewater treatment plants throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor, wood waste and land clearing as well as some food waste.

The RMOW's fully enclosed composter diverts waste from the landfill, effectively treats Whistler's biosolids, provides an opportunity for businesses and residents to compost food waste, and produces a number of high quality soil amendments for sale at the Waste Transfer Station and at the Squamish Landfill.