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Grow-Cook-Share & Relish Newsletter

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English Vol. 9

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Français vol. 9

Grow Your Veggie Garden Guide

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CQA/Compost Markets

The Compost Quality Alliance (CQA) is a voluntary program established by the Compost Council of Canada and the compost producers utilizing standardized testing methodologies and uniform operating protocols to improve customer confidence in compost selection and utilization.

Click here for more information

COMPOST PRODUCT QUALITY TESTING PARAMETERS

There are federal and provincial/territorial regulations and guidelines which compost manufacturers must be in compliance.

Federal:

Fertilizers Act and Regulations

Loi et règlement sur les engrais

T-4-120: Regulation of Compost under the Fertilizers Act and Regulations

T-4-120 – Réglementation du compost en vertu de la Loi sur les engrais et de son règlement d’application

Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment:

Guidelines for Compost Quality

Lignes directrices pour la qualité du compost

Please contact The Compost Council of Canada for additional provincial/territorial regulations and guidelines

Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum Count Down to first Session October 22nd

Our Council supports and annually participates in the Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum (CFPF), coordinated by our colleagues at the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI).

This year, instead of the annual conference usually held in Ottawa, there will be a series of seminars as outlined below. Different from past conferences, there is no charge to participate in these webinars.
For your consideration …

Download the PDF.

The Influence of Diverse Compost Products on the Soil’s Bacterial and Fungal Community in Potato Production

The following was presented in one of our Council’s many webinars to support industry knowledge and our members’ advancement. Please support our Council through membership and event participation.

Video link on GoToWebinar

Presentation

Insect Frass : Current Research in Fertilization and Soil Amendment from an Ontario Cricket Farm

Video link on GoToWebinar

Presentation

Facility Operations

CERTIFIED COMPOST FACILITY OPERATORS

The Compost Council of Canada promotes environmentally responsible and compliant operations, and endeavors to raise the level of professionalism within our industry. Certification of facility operations staff achieves this goal by providing a structured means of increasing and verifying the level of knowledge. Operator certification programs are also used by various provincial governments as part of regulatory approvals and compliance programs.

How Do Recycling and Composting Fight Climate Change?

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today. What can we do about this creeping apocalypse? It turns out that there is a lot we can do. We already have many of the solutions to climate change in our arsenal, ready to go. And here is the good news: these solutions don’t have to break the bank. Many of them actually SAVE money. Take this quiz and find out what you know, and what you might not know, about the things a climate-smart, dollar-smart business can do to create a better environment for both ourselves and our descendants.

TAKE OUR QUIZ

Compostability

In-Field Testing for Compostability

This document has been developed to serve as a guideline document for the real-world analysis of compostability of products and packaging when tested at actual, operational centralized composting facilities. This is currently not a requirement for certification of compostable claims as conducted in laboratory conditions utilizing established standards such as the BNQ and BPI certification for compostability.

This guideline is to help organics recycling facilities record their test for the physical decomposition of sample products/packaging.

Overview of Testing Procedure
Example of Trial Log
Working Template for Trial Log

Foodscraps Recycling in Italy

Video link on GoToWebinar

Presentation

KUDOS TO REAL ACTION ON ORGANICS IN QUEBEC

Valuable Resource Materials

Here’s just a few of the many great information documents to help move your organics recycling and compost programs ahead. Need something else? Touch base with us. Our Council has been helping to build the organics recycling infrastructure across Canada for nearly 30 years (and unfortunately, it is still not done) … our archives are rich in information and inspiration.

TECHNOLOGY:

Technical Document on Municipal Solid Waste Organics Processing

Biodegradable material such as food waste constitutes approximately 40% of the residential waste stream in Canada, therefore diversion of organic materials is essential to reach high diversion targets. The environmental benefits of diverting organic materials from landfill include reduced methane emissions (a potent greenhouse gas), and decreased leachate quantities from landfills. From a life-cycle perspective, other benefits, such as the production of valuable compost and renewable energy, can also be derived from the diversion of organic materials from disposal depending on the processing method selected.

… more

Alberta Compost Facility Operator Study-Guide

… download the pdf.

Best Practices For Operating An Aerated Windrow Composting Facility

This document provides the operational procedures for processing up to 2,500 tonnes per year of source-separated-organic (SSO) waste and amendment. This is equivalent to the organic waste produced from a population base of about 5,000 persons.

… download the pdf.

MARKETS:

Developing Better Technical Specifications for
Topsoil Use in Construction Projects

… more info here.

Ontario Agricultural Trials using
Greenbin-derived Compost

… more info here.

Programs of Support

COMPOST
AWARENESS
WEEK

May 1-7 2022

Thank you for a great 2021 Compost Week celebration, recognizing that everyday can be a good compost day. As you plan for your year ahead please note that International Compost Awareness Week 2022 will take place from May 1st to 7th. Thanks for including this important celebration with your plans.