Backyard composting

Whistler provides municipal composting services for residents, visitors and businesses.

Residents of single family homes and small strata properties (12 units or less) that pay the annual Operation Fee can drop off kitchen scraps (organics) and other compostable materials conveniently at the Waste Depots, along with  other waste and recycling.

Larger multi-family and commercial properties should arrange to have their recycling, organics and landfill waste picked up by a waste hauling contractor.

Manage bear attractants

Backyard composting in Whistler requires vigilance.

It’s important to keep your property free of bear attractants. 

If a bear begins frequenting  a backyard compost bin, it is considered a wildlife attractant, and the compost bin will need to be managed so that it no longer attracts bears.

Wildlife attractants in your yard or around your home put you and bears at risk.

You can also be fined for not managing attractants properly, according to Whistler's solid waste bylaw.

Requirements

• Maintain a healthy compost bin to prevent odours that can 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).
• Every time you add kitchen scraps to your compost bin cover them with brown materials.
• Aerate your compost to encourage oxygen-loving bacteria that break down your compost and reduce odours.
• Bury fruit or any other odourous greens under at least a foot of soil.
• Avoid attracting bears or other wildlife. Don’t compost meat, fish, bones, grain, dairy, bread, or anything that’s oily.

Find more detailed information in the SLRD's Composting in Bear Country brochure.