Composting and yard waste

Food and yard waste isn't garbage.

About a third of an average household’s garbage is food.

When food and yard waste end up in the landfill, they generate methane – a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Composting food scraps, yard waste and other organic material like napkins, tea bags, coffee grinds and house plants is important. It reduces the amount of garbage we produce, reduces greenhouse gases and creates compost for local gardens and farms.

Reduce

Use the Love Food Hate Waste resource for easy solutions like meal planning, learning to properly store your food so it lasts longer and tips to use up leftovers.

Where to drop off compost and yard waste

Household compost can be dropped off at both of Whistler's waste depots year-round. Yard waste can be dropped off at the Function Junction depot in the specific bin from April to November. The yard waste bin is removed once there is snow in the valley and the removal date will be announced in the advisories section. Learn more about Whistler's waste depots.

Commercial and strata properties have separate regulations around compost, recycling and landfill waste collection.

Likewise, commercial landscapers must drop off yard waste at the Waste Transfer Station in the Callaghan Valley.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler also offers a free FireSmart community chipper program for woody debris in the summer months. Learn more.

What can be composted

This infographic can help you identify what can be composted at Whistler's waste depots. You can also download a Compost Guide.

Items that can be composted:

All food including meat, fish, shellfish, grains, pasta, dairy, eggs, fruits and vegetables.
Egg shells and bones.
Small amounts of fat, oil and grease.
Coffee filters, grounds and tea bags.
Food soiled paper.

Items that should not be composted include diapers and plastic. Use only certified compostable containers and bags or create an organic origami food waste bin liner.

What goes in yard waste

Yard waste must be disposed in the specific bin at the Function Junction waste depot or through the FireSmart community chipper day services. Burning yard waste is not allowed in Whistler.

Accepted:

Grass, leaves, branches (up to 10 cm in diameter) and twigs
Weeds, flowers and house plants (no pots) with dirt shaken off
Minimal dirt or sand

Not accepted:

Dirt and gravel
Rocks
Plastic bags
Paving stone or concrete
Wood with paint or glue
Plywood or fiberboard

The following materials must be brought directly to the Waste Transfer Station:

Large volumes of sawdust, woodchips, and shavings
Large amounts of yard waste
Clean wood waste
Commercial compost

How to dispose of invasive species

Invasive species should not be composted. Improper disposal of invasive species can lead to further spread of invasives in the Sea to Sky as many plant parts can withstand the composting process. The Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council has a complete list of all invasive species.

Residents can dispose of a small amount invasive species in landfill waste. Plants should be bagged and sealed.

Businesses must dispose of invasive species at the Waste Transfer Station. Plants should be bagged and labelled "invasive". Tipping fees apply.

For more information on invasive plants, visit the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council.

Backyard composting

While it is possible to have a backyard compost bin, backyard composting in Whistler requires vigilance since composting can attract bears. This puts you and bears at risk. You can also be fined for not managing attractants properly, according to Whistler's solid waste bylaw.

To avoid attracting bears to a backyard compost bin, do not compost meat, fish, bones, grain, dairy, bread, anything that’s oily or any other bear attractants.

You must also:

Maintain a healthy compost bin to prevent odours that attract bears. This means using equal proportions of brown materials (fallen leaves, straw, sawdust, newspaper, paper towel, cardboard, dry grass clippings) and green materials (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, fresh grass clippings).
Cover kitchen scraps with brown material every time you add them to your compost bin.
Aerate your compost to encourage oxygen-loving bacteria that break down compost and reduce odours.
Bury fruit or any other odourous greens under at least a foot of soil.

Learn more with the SLRD's Composting in Bear Country brochure.