New food composting bins are being rolled out all over Banff to help residents cut down on waste going to the landfill.
Over a dozen new food bins are being installed in various neighbourhoods around Banff over the next week as part of the Zero Waste Trail initiative, which aims to eliminate all waste in Banff from going to the landfill by 2050.
Currently, 38% of all waste created in Banff is diverted away from the landfill. Of that total waste diverted to recycling and reuse, 28% is food waste going to composting. The Town of Banff wants to increase that amount dramatically, and is taking steps to make it easier for residents to sort and dispose food waste for composting.
“We want eliminate waste going to landfill by 2050,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen. “To do that, we have to divert as much as possible from the garbage stream. Food waste that goes to landfill just takes up precious space, and slowly lets off methane gas – a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.”
Food waste in landfills does not decompose quickly. It emits greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Composting creates growing additives to help farmers, greenhouses, landscapers and other industries.
Backyard composting isn’t possible in Banff due to wildlife, so additional, conveniently placed bins will make it easier for residents to dispose of food waste.
And these new food bins are just the start. The Town plans to install 63 new bear-proof bins over the next two years to make it much more convenient for residents to recycle food scraps.
To celebrate the new bins, the Town of Banff is giving away free kitchen catchers to the first 1,000 residents who visit Town Hall on Thursday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 8.
A map of new food bin locations is available at banffzerowastetrail.ca